Experts divided on whether social media ban will be realistic or effective

The Albanese government's plan to enforce a higher minimum age for social media use has come under fire as a quick solution to a complex problem.

The Albanese government has a new proposal to raise the minimum age minors can access social media platforms from in Australia, saying this will be enforced with new technology. Credit: Naokawa / Envato

Key Points

• While most experts acknowledge that platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok present a new frontier that can negatively impact the mental health of young Australians, some aren't quite convinced that the government's proposal will help.
• The law would put Australia among the first countries in the world to enforce an age restriction on social media.
• The government's $6.5 million trial into the technology is set to finish at the end of the 2024/2025 financial year, which means any law would likely not be introduced until after next year's federal election which is rumoured to take place in May.

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Experts divided on whether social media ban will be realistic or effective Filipino

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