Federal Health Minister Mark Butler supports growing social media boycott movement

Mark Butler joins other politicians and celebrities vowing to take part in Unplug 24, a day of action where people switch off social media for 24 hours.

A 24-hour boycott of social media use for later this month will be supported by Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, who says it is “increasingly clear” the “explosion in social media” is harming our youth.

Mr Butler will participate in Unplug 24, a day of action to be held on October 24 calling for Aussies to take a break from social media for the day.

Mr Butler is the most senior Albanese Government member to voice his support for the move so far, while NSW Premier Chris Minns on Sunday also confirmed he would participate on October 24.

They will be alongside other high-profile Aussies and politicians pledging to take part in the movement, with supporters so far including singer Jessica Mauboy, former Australian cricket captain Adam Gilchrist, TV personality and fitness trainer Michelle Bridges, and rugby league legend Corey Parker, as well as Senator Jacqui Lambie and Labor’s special envoy for cyber security Andrew Charlton.

Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler will participate in the day-long social media shutdown. AAP Image/Jane Dempster

“We’ve seen an alarming increase in levels of mental distress among young people, not just here in Australia but around the world for the last 20 years,” Mr Butler said.

“It is increasingly clear that the explosion in social media is a key driver behind this increase in distress.

“As we mark this day by ‘unplugging’ from social media, parents and community leaders are rightly saying ‘enough is enough’, let our kids be kids.”

It comes as the Opposition voiced concerns to potential carve outs within landmark social media reforms, which would enable children to use some platforms despite the Albanese government committing to a minimum age for social media use.

Shadow communications spokesman David Coleman railed against any exemptions, which Communications Minister Michelle Rowland Flagged could be given to platforms who developed child-friendly versions.

“The idea that social media products like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat could be made ‘safe’ for younger children is absurd,” Mr Coleman said.

“We need a clear age limit of 16 for social media access – which the Coalition committed to back in June. The Government still doesn’t have a position on what age limit should be applied, and is now saying that big social media companies could be exempted from the law entirely.

Jessica Mauboy has also supported the campaign. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)

“Social media age limit rules must not be watered down. This issue requires firm leadership, not weakness and indecision.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland flagged at Friday’s social media summit the government was considering an exemption framework for some social media platforms, which would enable young people able to access them.

It comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month committed to imposing a minimum age for social media use to protect children from the mental and physical health harms, although no specific age has been stipulated yet.

“We are also considering an exemption framework to accommodate access for social media services that demonstrate a low risk of harm to children,” Ms Rowland said on Friday, adding the policy would incentivise social media companies to create age-appropriate versions of their apps.

“We are conscious of the harmful features in the design of platforms that drive addictive behaviours.

“This is why we will set parameters to guide platforms in designing social media that allows connections, but not harms, to flourish.”

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Originally published as Federal Health Minister Mark Butler supports growing social media boycott movement