Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is holding firm on Australia's groundbreaking move to ban children under 16 from social media, declaring the legislation will protect young people and save lives despite acknowledging its limitations.
A Stand Against Social Media Giants
In an exclusive interview with 7NEWS, the Prime Minister stated he had been moved by conversations with grieving parents who have suffered unimaginable losses. He said it is now time for governments to stand up to powerful social media companies. Albanese confirmed the ban would save lives and allow children to reclaim their childhoods away from screens.
"What this will do is protect children and allow them to be children," Albanese told 7NEWS' Mark Riley. He expressed a desire to see young Australians disengage from their devices and rediscover real-world activities like playing sport, learning musical instruments, and reading books.
A Realistic Approach to Enforcement
The Prime Minister, however, admitted he is a realist about the policy's challenges. He acknowledged that the legislation would not be perfect and that some tech-savvy young people would inevitably find ways to circumvent the restrictions. He also warned that a minority might be driven to more dangerous corners of the internet.
Albanese emphasised that the success of this world-first initiative would require a concerted family effort. He called on parents to have frank discussions with their children about the new laws. "There'll be some pushback, but this is the law. We expect compliance," he stated firmly.
Schools to Play a Crucial Role
The government sees schools as a critical partner in the ban's implementation. Many institutions have already banned mobile phones from classrooms, reporting significant improvements in student behaviour and academic performance. When asked if he would support a universal phone ban in schools, Albanese was emphatic: "I absolutely would."
The Prime Minister framed the issue as a battle against algorithms that exploit youthful innocence, create addictive behaviours, and foster environments where online bullying can thrive with tragic consequences.
Australia Leads, The World Follows
The Australian policy has captured significant international attention. Albanese revealed that world leaders have been approaching him at global forums seeking updates on the pioneering law. Dozens of countries are now considering similar measures, with the European Union voting just last week to become one of the first major jurisdictions to follow Australia's lead.
"This is world leading, but the world is following Australia," the Prime Minister said. He added that he feels a sense of "honour" rather than pressure in pioneering this approach, expressing pride that Australia is "taking back control."
His message to social media corporations was unambiguous: "They have a social responsibility and they need a social licence as well." While acknowledging that pushing back against the tech giants would not be easy, Albanese's resolve appears unshaken as Australia steps onto the global stage as a regulatory pioneer in digital child protection.
