Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Australian PM says children under 16 must be banned from social media

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 21 May 2024 09:25
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

PM Anthony Albanese endorses a campaign pushing for the minimum age requirement to be increased from 13, emphasizing the potentially devastating effects of social media platforms.

Listen
  • x
  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, Friday, June 10, 2022. (AP)
    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on June 10, 2022. (AP)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has supported the idea of prohibiting children under 16 from creating social media accounts, stating that excessive online activity at a young age significantly harms their mental well-being.

The prime minister supported raising the minimum age for social media account registration from 13 to 16, intending to give teenagers more time to mature without encountering online social pressures.

"What we want is our youngest Australians spending more time outside playing sport, engaging with each other in a normal way, and less time online," Albanese told Nova FM radio on Tuesday. "And one way to do that is through restrictions on social media."

He mentioned that the frequently harsh commentary on social media could harm adults and have an even more detrimental effect on children.

Shirley Cramer, CEO of RSPH, said, "As the evidence grows that there may be potential harms from heavy use of social media... it is important that we have checks and balances in place to make #socialmedia less of a wild west when it comes to young people's mental health." pic.twitter.com/JLyHn6KTMT

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 6, 2023

"It can be devastating," Albanese said, adding, "I don’t look at the comments on my social media because, if I did, I’d find it difficult to leave the house in the morning. People will say things anonymously that are terrible."

Related News

Nepal blocks Facebook, X, YouTube after firms defy local registration

Meta claims AI needs Aussies social media data to learn local concepts

Australia's Nova FM is conducting a campaign to raise the minimum registration age for social media to 16, and has initiated a petition called "36 months." This petition urges the government to "raise the threshold for social media citizenship" by implementing a 36-month delay in the age at which children can create an account, allowing them more time to develop without being influenced by social media.

State premiers in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales have also supported the campaign to raise the minimum age for social media registration.

Trial period 

In addressing the campaigns, Albanese highlighted the government's proposed trial, which was allocated $6.5 million in funding in last week's budget. This trial focuses on age assurance measures for websites, especially those featuring adult content.

Limited information is available regarding the trial to be conducted by the office of the eSafety Commissioner, including details such as its operation, the inclusion of specific websites, the potential involvement of social media platforms, and the commencement date remain unclear.

Read next: UK seeking to possibly ban social media use for kids under 16

Usually, when registering, social media platforms request users to provide their birthdates, and they typically prohibit individuals under the age of 13 from registering. However, this restriction is often circumvented. Companies like Meta employ alternative methods to identify younger users, such as analyzing behavioral patterns indicative of similar younger users, including the pages they follow and the content posted around their birthdays.

In Australia, Instagram offers age verification measures where users can confirm they are over 18 by uploading an ID, utilizing a video facial age estimator, or having another over-18 account vouch for them.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • social media
  • Anthony Albanese
  • Australia

Most Read

Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Britain Trained Israeli Soldiers Involved in Gaza War: Declassified
Europe

UK training of Israeli officers sparks outcry over Gaza war complicity

Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Politics

Luxembourg to recognize Palestine at UN summit next week

European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

EU exec. branch to adopt new sanctions against 'Israel' on Wednesday

Charlie Kirk killing suspect faces charges in Utah court hearing
US & Canada

Charlie Kirk murder suspect faces formal charges in Utah court hearing

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS