The Australian PM has now clarified the Government is looking to ban kids under 16 years of age from using social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat.

The Albanese Government signalled its intentions to crack down on younger people on social media but had not yet specified an age bracket for such a ban. Speaking to a News Corp masthead yesterday, Anthony Albanese revealed he’s now looking at a ban on those under 16.

“I want Australian parents and families to know we’ve got their back,” the told the Herald Sun. “Social media is doing social harm to our young people, and I’m calling time on it.”

The Government’s decision to enact social media age limits was first revealed in September just days after the South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas, put his own foot forward on pushing to ban kids under 14 years of age from setting up social media accounts. The SA Premier backed up his point with an extensive report commissioned by former High Court chief justice, Robert French, investigating a legislative vehicle that could enact such a ban and enforce social media companies to establish parental consent before allowing teenagers aged 14 and 15 to use their platforms.

Many social platforms at present have stated they have various forms of bans or restrictions in place for those under 14 years of age from signing up and getting an account, but the gap between 14 and 16 remains the most contentious as debate continues on the harms social media usage is having on younger people.

The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has also committed to lifting the minimum age of access to social media to 16 within the first 100 days in office should the Coalition win the next election.

Several industry commentators and educators have spoken to Mi3 on their concerns around social media, although the question of outright bans versus education remains highly debated.