Australia considers banning social media for under-14 children in South

The Premier of South Australia has proposed a ban on children under the age of 14 from using social media platforms. Peter Malinauskas has taken steps to examine the legal feasibility of this initiative by appointing Robert French, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, to assess its practicalities.

The proposed ban entails prohibiting any South Australian under 14 from accessing social media altogether, while those aged 14 and 15 would need parental consent to create accounts. Malinauskas cited mounting evidence indicating the adverse effects of social media on children’s mental health and developmental progress.

Highlighting concerns about addictive algorithms targeting young minds, Malinauskas emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue to protect children from harm. He drew parallels with regulations preventing minors from accessing online gambling and advocated for proactive leadership in addressing the challenges posed by social media.

The proposed regulations could mirror those governing underage access to online gambling, aiming to safeguard children from potential harms associated with excessive social media use. A 2021 report from the federal government’s eSafety Commissioner revealed that Australian teenagers spend an average of 14.4 hours per week online and engage with approximately four different social media platforms.