Scott Morrison joins Erin Molan and wants tech giants to put in stricter controls to protect kids on social media

With Erin Molan by his side, Scott Morrison explained why Australians need to “wake up”, if they aren’t talking about one issue at their kitchen tables.

Smartphones and tablets will have to come with parental controls that are easier to activate and harder for kids to get around.

Under a re-elected Morrison Government, tech companies will have 12 months to make it easier to set privacy and location settings, website blockers, filters, privacy and location settings, app store permissions, and screen time limits.

If they fail to comply, the companies will be forced to do so under government regulations.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled the reforms as part of the Coalition’s policy on online child safety aimed at radically improving the power parents have over the way their children use their devices.

With trolling victim Erin Molan by his side, he said the issue of social media was an important one.

“These are not small issues and what we are talking about today – I don’t know what kitchen table you’re sitting around – but the one I sit around talks about what’s going on with social media and our kids,” he said.

“And if people don’t think that’s a big issue, wake up. Because you’re not living in the real world. In the real world, buying a house, dealing with the anxiety and pressures that your children face at school and online and their trolling and bullying that takes place, that is the big issue that young people face today and if people don’t think that’s a big issue, fine. Think it all you like, but I know it is and I will keep focusing on that.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Erin Molan in Parramatta. Picture: Jason Edwards

Scott Morrison plans to tackle eSafety if re-elected. Picture: iStock.

MUCH MORE TO BE DONE

Mr Morrison said his government had stood up to big tech and social media giants, but there was much more to be done.

“Our kids should be able to learn, be entertained, or connect with their friends and family without facing abuse, humiliation or online predators,” Mr Morrison said.

“The online world cannot be a cowards’ cavern where the rules of the real world do not exist.

Other elements of Coalition’s policy to be released on Sunday include a $23 million eSafety Schools package which send material to every school in Australia about the eSafety Commissioner so parents and children know where to head for help.

This will include money for resources and training for school-aged children to help them cope with online safety and mental health issues, especially body image issues.

The package will also expand the existing Trusted eSafety Provider Program which encourages schools to engage with external online safety providers such as the Carly Ryan Foundation and the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

This program has already seen 770,000 students attend more than 7700 online safety training sessions.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant addresses the National Press Club. Picture: Supplied

$10 MILLION FOR eSAFETY

The Coalition will also give $10 million to the eSafety Commissioner to establish a one-stop shop where victims only have to ‘tell-us-once’ with authorities then handling co-ordination between regulatory and law enforcement agencies.

The Government will also recommit to legislating its Social Media (Anti-Trolling) laws designed to make sure social media companies are held accountable as publishers, and making it easier for people deal with defamatory comments from anonymous trolls.

Finally $2 million will go towards supporting online safety in multicultural communities with grants aimed at projects supporting women and girls.

The Prime Minister said Big Tech and social media giants must be held to account.

“Our plan will force them to do more – they cannot create it, and wash their hands of all consequences of it,” he said.

“Our plan will also ensure parents can protect their kids online with strong parental controls, help to prevent harm by raising awareness in every school, and improve our support for those harmed online.”

Got a story tip? Email us at [e-mail]

Know some goss or seen something in your electorate? Contact us at [e-mail]

Originally published as Scott Morrison joins Erin Molan and wants tech giants to put in stricter controls to protect kids on social media