In a significant move to address mental health concerns among young Australians, the South Australian government is set to implement a ban on social media usage for individuals under the age of 16. This decision follows a series of discussions and findings highlighting the potential negative impacts of social media on youth. The initiative gained momentum in late 2023, sparked by an influential conversation between South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and his wife regarding the book “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt.
Haidt, an American social psychologist, advocates for a social media ban as a remedy for the mental health challenges he attributes to these platforms. His recommendation resonated with the South Australian government, leading to a review and a summit held in partnership with New South Wales. Notably, former Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen participated in this summit, where she expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a blanket ban, describing it as a “bumper sticker solution.”
In response to the summit discussions, calls for a national ban intensified, aiming to avoid a fragmented approach across states. Peter Dutton, then opposition leader, adopted the ban as a key policy for the Coalition ahead of the federal elections. The campaign was further buoyed by media support, notably from News Corp, which initiated the “Let Them Be Kids” campaign to advocate for the ban.
The growing political pressure prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Nova radio host Wippa to launch their own initiative, titled “36 months,” advocating to raise the minimum age for social media access from 13 to 16. Albanese’s appearances on Wippa’s program helped to generate public support for the proposed legislation.
Following these developments, the Albanese government introduced the bill, which swiftly passed through parliament, with minimal scrutiny from a committee. This legislation defers the specifics of the ban’s implementation to the end of 2025, placing the onus of enforcement on social media platforms themselves. The then Communications Minister Michelle Rowland stated that YouTube would be exempt from the ban for educational purposes, a decision that was not clearly defined within the law.
To assess the feasibility of the ban, a $22.5 million technology trial was commissioned, overseen by a UK firm linked to age assurance providers. The trial’s preliminary findings suggested that enforcing the ban was indeed practical, although concerns about its limitations were raised.
After the Albanese government secured re-election with an increased majority in May, Anika Wells was appointed as the new communications minister. In the wake of the legislation, TikTok and Meta expressed dissatisfaction with YouTube’s exemption, arguing that its short-form video offerings are comparable to their own. Wells was advised by the eSafety commissioner that YouTube should not remain excluded from the ban, citing the potential risks posed by its algorithms to adolescents.
As the countdown to the ban’s implementation begins, multiple platforms, including TikTok, Meta, Snapchat, Reddit, and Twitch, have indicated their intention to comply with the new regulations. A legal challenge against the ban has been initiated, with a hearing scheduled for February 2024.
In the wake of the proposed ban, News Corp’s leadership has publicly celebrated this development. Michael Miller, executive chair of News Corp Australia, labelled social media platforms as “true monsters” that pose significant threats to children.
The situation remains dynamic, and as Australia prepares to enforce this groundbreaking legislation, it stands as a potential model for other nations grappling with similar concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health.
