South Australia proposes a ban on social media for children under 14 to protect their mental health and well-being.
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| The potential benefits and risks of social media for young people and the proposed ban in South Australia. |
Adelaide, Australia – September 8, 2024:
In a groundbreaking move to protect the mental health and well-being of young people, the state of South Australia has proposed legislation to ban children under the age of 14 from using social media platforms.
Premier Peter Malinauskas unveiled the draft legislation on Sunday, outlining plans to restrict access to social media for minors. The proposal aims to address concerns about the negative impacts of social media on young people's mental health, self-esteem, and overall development.
"We recognize the potential benefits of social media but also acknowledge the significant risks it poses to children," Malinauskas stated. "This legislation is a proactive step to safeguard our young people from the harmful effects of excessive social media use."
The proposed ban would place a legal obligation on social media platforms to implement measures that prevent children under 14 from creating or accessing accounts.
If approved, South Australia would become the first Australian state to introduce such a ban, setting a precedent for other jurisdictions to consider similar measures.