Australia launches campaign to help children quit social media before ban takes effect

The Australian government has launched a campaign offering tips to parents and others on how to phase out the use of social media among children ahead of a world-first national 16-year age limit taking effect in December.

Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Friday that information on her agency’s website, esafety.gov.au, explained the new laws and how to navigate them.

From December 10, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube would be facing a fine of up to 50 million Australian dollars if they fail to take steps to curb social media use among teens.

Messages raising awareness will also be shared starting Sunday across digital channels, television, radio and billboards.

“We want children to have childhoods. We want parents to have peace of mind and we want young people — young Australians — to have three more years to learn who they are before platforms assume who they are,” Communications Minister Anika Wells told reporters, referring to the current de facto 13-year age limit for social media accounts based on US privacy legislation.

What are the tips that have been offered?

The eSafety Commission has issued a guidebook of sorts that contains checklists and conversation starters about ways to make the transition, such as following an online influencer through a website rather than a social media account.

Inman Grant said, “How do we start weaning them from social media now so it isn’t a shock on Dec. 10? How do we help them download their archives and their memories and how do we make sure that they’re in touch with friends and are aware of mental health support if they’re feeling down when they’re not tethered to their phones over the holiday period?”

She added that the social media age restriction would be a “very monumental event for a lot of young people.”

Denmark to follow suit?

Earlier this month, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the country is exploring the possibility of banning social media for preteens, saying that smartphones and social networking apps are “stealing our children’s childhood”.

“We have unleashed a monster. Never before have so many children and young people suffered from anxiety and depression,” Frederiksen said at the opening of Folketing, the Danish parliament, as she announced the ban proposal.

She said that prolonged use of social media by children has affected their reading skills and messed up their concentration, adding that “on screens they see things no child or young person should see”.

With inputs from agencies