Australia’s government has announced plans to introduce landmark legislation that would prohibit children under 16 from using social media.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the proposed law, which will be introduced in parliament next week, is aimed at reducing the "harm" social media poses to Australian children.

"This one is for the mums and dads... They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian families to know that the government has your back," Albanese said.

The details are still under discussion, but the government clarified that the ban will not apply to children already active on social media, and there will be no parental consent exemptions. Social media platforms will be responsible for proving they are taking reasonable steps to prevent underage access. Enforcement of the law will fall under Australia’s online regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, with no penalties for users.

If passed, the legislation will take effect 12 months later and undergo a review afterward. Many experts agree that social media can harm adolescents’ mental health, though opinions vary on whether a ban is the best approach. Some believe bans only delay exposure to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook rather than preparing young people to navigate online spaces safely.

Similar restrictions have proven difficult in other regions, such as the European Union, where age-verification measures have faced challenges. Australia's Child Rights Taskforce, a major advocacy group, criticized the proposed law as "too blunt" and urged the government to consider "safety standards" instead. In an open letter, the group cited UN guidance recommending policies that enable children to safely engage with digital environments rather than restricting access.

However, some campaigners support the ban, citing concerns about children’s exposure to harmful content, misinformation, and online bullying. The 36Months initiative, which has gathered over 125,000 signatures, argues children "not yet ready to navigate online social networks safely" until at least 16, and that currently "excessive social media use is rewiring young brains within a critical window of psychological development, causing an epidemic of mental illness".

Asked if the focus should instead be on teaching children to manage the benefits and risks of the online world, Albanese argued that education alone is inadequate, as it "assumes an equal power relationship."

"I don't know about you, but I get things popping up on my system that I don't want to see. Let alone a vulnerable 14-year-old," he said on Thursday. "These tech companies are incredibly powerful. These apps have algorithms that drive people towards certain behaviour."