Anthony Albanese explains why he won’t back down from social media age ban

Anthony Albanese has told of why he is standing by his government’s plan to introduce a social media age ban despite growing efforts from tech giants to undermine it.

Exclusive: Anthony Albanese says he will not waver from his commitment to enforce a social media age ban in December despite growing efforts from tech giants to undermine or water down the plan.

The Prime Minister said the “safety and security” of Australia’s children were at stake and by the end of the year restrictions limiting social media accounts to people aged 16 and over would be coming into effect.

“(This will give) the confidence that parents want, that their children are being kept safe,” he said.

Currently the age limit is due to apply to popular platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook, but a review of the plan currently underway is considering if YouTube should also be captured having initially been exempted due to its educational uses.

Asked about inclusion of the video platform, Mr Albanese said he would wait for the review but insisted that process was aimed at refining the proposal rather than a fundamental overhaul of the ban.

“We await the review, that’s why we’re doing it, we’re taking out time to get it right,” he said.

“It’s important, not just for Australia, but there are implications and internationally.

“The world is watching.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his office at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Albanese said the legislation that passed with bipartisan support in 2024 had included a 12-month implementation phase in order to allow platforms to prepare for the ban, and he was confident any teething problems would be successfully dealt with as the arose once it took effect no later than December 11 this year.

“I think there is clear support for this across the community,” he said.

Mr Albanese said “inevitably” the ban would be breached, but as with restrictions on alcohol for people under 18, that did not mean it would not be broadly effective.

“We don’t argue for perfect, but we don’t allow that to stop us from what are correct decisions,” he said.

TikTok and Facebook will be part of the social media ban for teens.

“There’s more and more evidence that social media can have benefits, but can also cause social harm.”

Mr Albanese said the ban would be a “tool” that would “empower parents” to push back against peer group pressure around access to social media.

He reiterated his belief “social media has a social responsibility” amid a public opposition campaign by the tech giants.

TikTok has recently stepped up a campaign promoting the platform’s utility for getting teens to read, engage with education and even learn hobbies like fishing.

Newspaper, billboards and bus shelter ads have highlighted statistics like how up 10 million videos are served up to young Australians through TikTok’s science, technology, engineering, and maths feed.

Meta, TikTok and Snapchat have also criticised the initial decision to exclude YouTube, describing it as “irrational” and “shortsighted” in their submissions to the government’s consultation process on the ban.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese explains why he won’t back down from social media age ban