All kids under 16 in Australia may soon be banned from all social media use, after the country announced their plan to become the first to do so.
"This one is for the mums and dads... They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian families to know that the government has your back," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters, according to the BBC.
The legislation could become law next year, and then would need to be enforced starting 12 months after it passes. There would be no exceptions for children who have permission from their parents, as reported by Reuters.
"Social media is doing harm to our kids and I'm calling time on it," Albanese told the media, citing mental and physical health concerns.
Albanese said it would be up to social media platforms and Australia's online regulator to enforce the ban. There would be no penalties for children.
It is unclear right now how Australia plans to enforce the ban. Two methods currently being trialed for age-limitation on social media are biometrics and government identification.
Antigone Davis, head of safety at Meta, who owns Instagram and Facebook, told Sky News the company plans to follow any age limitations introduced by the government. Davis added, "However, what's missing is a deeper discussion on how we implement protections, otherwise we risk making ourselves feel better like we have taken action, but teens and parents will not find themselves in a better place."
The ban would also include access to YouTube, TikTok and X.
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