CANBERRA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of all eight of Australia's states and territories have endorsed the prime minister's plan to ban children younger than 16 from using social media.
Anthony Albanese announced on Friday that legislation for the world-first ban will be introduced to parliament in November after the leaders of all six states and two territories endorsed the plan.
Speaking after meeting with the state and territory leaders on Friday, Albanese said that the government of the island state of Tasmania expressed a preference to set the minimum age limit at 14 but ultimately agreed with the proposed 16 to guarantee a uniform nationwide approach.
"The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues," he told reporters in Canberra.
Albanese on Thursday committed to setting the minimum age limit at 16, having previously pledged to introduce a minimum age limit without specifying a cut-off age.
Under the proposal, the onus to ensure compliance with the minimum age limit will fall on social media companies, not parents, guardians or children. The laws will be enforced by the office of the government's eSafety commissioner.
Albanese and Michelle Rowland, the minister for communications, said on Friday that the ban will take effect at least 12 months after the legislation is passed by both houses of the federal parliament to give industry, governments and the eSafety commissioner time to implement systems and processes.
Rowland said that 16 was chosen as the cut-off age following extensive consultation to minimize harms experienced by young people during a critical development period. ■
