Australia has been told it cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good in the pursuit of making social media safer for children.
A proposal to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media will be discussed at a virtual meeting between the nation’s leaders on Friday.
The measures showed the government was “stepping up and providing national leadership”, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said as he announced the move.
“I am confident that tomorrow, when the national cabinet meets, we will ensure that there is a single system going forward to ensure uniformity,” Mr Albanese told parliament on Thursday.
“That is so important. We know that this is not the only solution.
“We know there’s more to do.”
The proposal was “world-leading” and a positive step, said researcher Samuel Cornell, a PhD candidate with UNSW’s School of Population Health.
“I don’t think it’s a perfect solution, but harm is being caused to children and young people,” he told AAP.
“To throw our hands up in the air is not right.”
Mr Cornell said social media was a driver of risky behaviour for children and had previously led to death after attempts to copy viral challenges.
RMIT Professor of Information Sciences Lisa Given said a social media ban would likely give parents a false sense of security while excluding young people from critical information.
“Many teens under 16 need access to critical information as they begin to mature into adults,” she said.
“Social media tools play a critical role in how youth engage with educational institutions, potential employers and health services, as well as personal networks of people with shared interests.
“They may be grappling with many different issues in their lives, without access to appropriate supports at home or in their communities.”
Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman said there should not be exemptions for companies such as Instagram, TikTok or Snapchat.
He said the legislation needed to be simple and strong.
Mr Albanese said the eSafety Commissioner would provide oversight and enforcement.
Platforms needed to become safer and age-appropriate, Greens communications spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“If the PM wants to make social media safer then he must ban the social media giants from targeting our kids with algorithms and advertising, and from data harvesting, especially of private information,” she said.
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