Words by: Emily Bor

Legislation to limit on social media use for young Australians will be introduced this year, amidst concerns around health and well-being. 

On September 10 this year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the introduction of a bill to parliament proposing a minimum age requirement on social media for “young Australians”.

“We know social media is causing social harm, and it is taking kids away from real friends and real experiences,” he said. 

The incentive for this reform came from a push within government to better protect young people from online harm, with a $6.5 million age assurance trial that will test different implementation approaches to help inform policy design.

Whilst the Prime Minister did not specify an age exactly, he said it could be anywhere between 14 to 16 years old.

The bill has been supported by Liberal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton too, who has previously backed a social media ban for teens under the age of 16.

Mother of two Kathy Bolton has supported the government's decision. 

“My main concern with social media for younger people is cyberbullying,” she said.

“I worry the negative impact social media can have on those not yet mature enough to regulate emotions is too great."

"I want to protect my children from the implications like susceptibility to anxiety, depression or self-harm”, said Ms Bolton. 

Her oldest daughter, Holly, received a phone this year, and does not have social media access yet. 

“She stays connected with text messages and has WhatsApp group chats to organise social events”, Ms Bolton said.

Whilst the proposed ban has been mostly well- received by politicians and parents’, academics and professionals have been hesitant to enforce such a law over the efficacy the ban will bring.

For many young Australians, social media is the key to networking and creating connections between friends and family. 

Apps like Instagram are used to post highlights of life’s biggest moments, whilst Snapchat ensures friends remain in touch, and TikTok is there for the occasional laugh, or in reality, doom scroll.

While young Australians want to keep in touch with each other and their community, this technology could have harrowing effects, doing more harm than good.

Brady Robards, 39, an Associate Professor of Sociology at Monash University, has a plethora of experience in social media presence and online identity. Mr Robards, also published ‘Growing up on Facebook,’ a book centred on how young Australians are the first generation to grow up with social media.

Mr Robards said a lot of young people “use social media to form identity,” though of course there are negatives, such as “bullying, predation, scams."

“There are more nuanced approaches we can take [than imposing a ban]".

"There is an important role to play, it’s a “multi-stakeholder conversation” between the government, the platforms, and users," he said. 

“Platforms need to be more open to collaborating with researchers,” Mr Robards said.

Gabby Lubieniecki, 39, is an eating disorders clinician, advocate and PhD candidate in body image and eating disorders research at Monash University.

A ‘lax’ social media user now, Ms Lubieniecki said “I am so glad I did not grow up with social media.”

Having worked with clients spanning all ages, Ms Lubieniecki sees social media having the largest effect on younger users. 

“The negative effects are quite profound,” Ms Lubieniecki said.

“There are positives to social media in spreading awareness about eating disorders amongst men and non-gender conforming individuals” Ms Lubieniecki said.

Michelle Rowlands, Minister for Communications said “[the government] will continue to engage experts, young people, advocates and parents through the age assurance trial which is an important aspect of this journey.”