In a bold move aimed at addressing mounting concerns over online safety, the Australian government has introduced a proposal that would bar children under 16 from using social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in an announcement on Thursday, called the legislation a necessary step to curb the harm he believes social media poses to children.

“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese said, noting that he has received overwhelming support from parents and families troubled by the impact of social media on young users.

If passed, the legislation would make Australia a global leader in social media regulation, introducing a minimum age requirement of 16 for social media access. Social media companies would be responsible for enforcing the age limit, though children and parents would not face penalties for violations. Platforms will have a one-year grace period to implement systems ensuring compliance, with Australia’s eSafety Commissioner overseeing enforcement. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the importance of these companies taking “reasonable steps” to prevent underage access.

The proposal has garnered mixed reactions. Supporters argue that young people are particularly vulnerable to the pressures and pitfalls of social media, with studies indicating a strong link between social media use and mental health issues among teens. Critics, however, view the age ban as a “blunt instrument.” A coalition of over 100 child welfare and technology experts expressed concerns in an open letter, urging the government to consider more nuanced approaches that combine digital literacy and parental controls.

“Moving to ban social media for kids under 16 years is a protective way to keep them safe,” sophomore Vanessa Wu said. “ They get more time to concentrate on other activities and keep them away from online pressures. The proposed ban on social media for all children under 16 years in Australia would overly restrict a young person’s opportunity to connect, learn, and become informed. It would also be difficult to police them and would deny young people the opportunity to learn responsible use of the digital environment.”

Mental health advocates have also raised questions about the unintended consequences of a strict age limit. Youth support organization ReachOut, for example, highlighted that 73% of young people accessing mental health resources do so through social media. Restricting access, they argue, could push these conversations into secretive spaces, making it harder for young people to seek help.

The legislation’s introduction follows recent tragedies, including the suicide of a 12-year-old girl in Sydney who experienced online bullying, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures. Albanese stated he would soon meet with families affected by such incidents, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting children from the harms of social media while ensuring that platforms uphold rigorous safety standards.

“I think that although there will be a lot of dissent among those under 16,” junior Ethan Lan said. “Overall it will be better in the long run for nurturing the future generation.”

As Australia moves forward with its proposed ban, the global community watches closely. Some advocates hope that this bold move could inspire similar legislation in other countries, including the United States, where debates over children’s safety on social media are intensifying. Proponents argue that Australia’s approach could mark the beginning of a worldwide effort to shield young people from the pressures of online life.

However, others caution that an outright ban may not be the right answer, fearing it could drive young people to circumvent restrictions and lose valuable online support networks. Critics suggest that America and other nations should focus on digital literacy, parental tools and age-appropriate content to foster a safer online environment without restricting access.

For now, Australia’s legislation stands as a potential model. Whether this will spark a global shift remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the conversation about children’s safety on social media has only just begun.