The Australian government is set to introduce new legislation aimed at safeguarding children and teenagers from social media addiction and violence. If enacted, the law would prohibit individuals under 16 from using social media platforms in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the bill seeks to mitigate the harmful effects of social media on young Australians and will be presented to Parliament next week.

The proposed legislation, which does not impose fines, mandates that social media companies take reasonable measures to prevent minors from accessing their platforms. Experts warn that social media can negatively impact the mental health of young users and expose them to illegal activities, harmful content, misinformation, violence, and social pressures. However, the proposal has encountered criticism, with The Australian Child Rights Taskforce, a prominent child rights organisation, describing the legislation as a "blunt instrument" and raising concerns about its effectiveness.