Australian Government Confirms It Will Ban TikTok, Social Media For Kids

The federal government has confirmed that it will install a social media ban for kids in the next 12 months. However, the age limit is currently undetermined.

Ironically, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement on social media last night (9 September), with a post reading that the government will legislate a minimum age for social media use to keep children safe. The caption for the post reads:

Some news tonight.

Parents tell me they’re worried about what age their kids should be on social media.

We’ll introduce legislation in this term of Parliament to enforce a minimum age for social media and other digital platforms.

It’s about supporting parents and keeping kids safe.

According to an ABC report, the federal government is seeking powers to “ban” children from social media platforms and promises to add legislation imposing an age limit on young people before the next election. The actual policy isn’t yet available to read online.

While no age limit has been revealed yet, a trial of age-verification technology will be rolled out following changes recently proposed by the South Australian government.

In South Australia, the government is preparing to “force” social media companies to ban children aged 13 and under from using their platforms or risk hefty fines.

The age-verification trial is to prevent young people from accessing social media platforms and adult content, with the current phase testing ways to stop people aged 13 and under from accessing porn and teens aged between 13 and 16 from accessing social media.

Compulsory age verification has also received criticism from those in the technology sector, arguing privacy issues.

In May, South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas shared plans for a social media policy that would be an Australian first. The government would require teenagers aged between 14 and 15 to access platforms like TikTok and Instagram with parental consent.

Earlier this year, opposition leader Peter Dutton called on the Albanese government to follow the United States' example and implement a ban on TikTok.

In a March interview with WSFM’s Jonesy and Amanda, Anthony Albanese stated that the federal government had “no plans” to ban TikTok in Australia.

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A post shared by Anthony Albanese (@albomp)