Children and teens under 16 may soon face a social media ban as the government moves forward with new legislation. Initially planning to implement restrictions by the year’s end, the government had delayed specifying an age limit until testing verification technology. However, it has now confirmed the age cut-off will be 16.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese clarified that the legislation will not include any grandfather clauses, meaning current users under 16 will also be affected. Additionally, parental consent will not be accepted as a way to bypass the ban.
The proposal will be discussed during a virtual national cabinet meeting on Friday, where state and territory leaders will be urged to support the initiative. Labor’s backing of the higher age limit follows the Coalition’s earlier endorsement of a similar minimum age requirement.
