Albanese will tighten social media ban for kids 'as a priority'

Australia will strengthen its social media ban for under 16s "as a priority".

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the government is considering tougher measures on the social media platforms who are not taking enough responsibility for age and content monitoring.

"There is more to do," he said in Question Time on Thursday, the ABC reports.

"We're working on that as a priority because this is something that other generations didn't have to deal with, which is why it is complex.

"We can't allow the power that these companies, which are unaccountable, which get massive amounts of … profit and have extraordinary power. We need to make sure that Australians are in charge of this."

The Prime Minister added that Australia should be proud that 16 other countries have "followed our social media ban".

READ MORE: ‘Designed to be addictive’: Britain bans social media for under 16s

READ MORE: Albanese issues warning about Karl Stefanovic: ‘Look at what’s happened’

 

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Albanese vows to strengthen social media ban

The Prime Minister noted that the global community was also tackling issues related to the impact of algorithms on minors, explaining that algorithms drive people towards "more and more extreme positions".

He explained, "They start off in a mainstream position talking about ethnicity perhaps or faith, and they end up over a period of time receiving in their inbox — not just children, adults as well — Nazi-level propaganda with calls for violence.

"We need to be courageous about this."

The government is currently considering imposing a digital duty of care that would legally require online platforms to predict foreseeable harm to users, and stop it.

This would shift regulation from reactive take-downs of harmful content to more proactive risk management.

Since December, platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch, Kick and X have been legally required to block and take reasonable steps to prevent Australians who are under 16 from having accounts.

Companies face fines of up to $49.5 million for failing to do so.

Top Image: Anthony Albanese in Question Time on Thursday. Image: ABC News/Ian Cutmore)

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