Parents will not be able to give consent for their children to use social media under a blanket ban proposed by the Albanese government.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a proposal to ban children under the age of 16 from social media.

Labor is yet to specify which social media companies would be captured under the changes, with concerns kids will be barred from health and education information.

While Instagram, TikTok and X – formerly Twitter – are likely to to be hit with an age ban, others will be exempt.

These platforms could be considered a messaging service rather than social media sites.

Legislation has not yet been introduced to parliament, with just two sitting weeks left this year.

Asked if parents would be allowed to consent to their children being on social media at a younger age, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told Labor’s partyroom meeting “no”.

She said people using social media would not have to upload proof of identity directly to those platforms, when minimum age requirements kick in.

“The opposition is the only party arguing that people should upload 100 points of ID and give it to TikTok,” she told the meeting.

The government wants 12 months of consultation to figure out exactly how the ban will be enforced.

 

Tess Ikonomou
(Australian Associated Press)