This Australian state wants to ban children from getting social media accounts

A former High Court chief justice will investigate the possibility of imposing an Australian-first ban on children under 14 having social media accounts.

The South Australian government, which is examining the ban, says it wants to protect kids from the harm caused by social media. Source: Getty / Richard Drury

The top line: Children under 14 in one Australian state could be blocked from opening social media accounts, with an eminent legal eagle to investigate the feasibility of a ban.

The bigger picture: South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has appointed former High Court chief justice Robert French AC to look at options for a ban.

Under the proposal, parents would also have to give their consent for children aged 14 and 15 to access a social media account.

South Australia’s Premier Peter Malinauskas has appointed former High Court chief justice Robert French AC to examine a potential ban on children from social media accounts. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

The proposed changes would be an Australian-first and follow legislated restrictions on children using social media accounts in Spain and the US states of Florida and Texas.

The key quote: "We are seeing mounting evidence from experts of the adverse impact of social media on children, their mental health and development," — South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas.

What else to know: Most social media platforms require users to be at least 13 to register an account, but the age limit is easily circumvented.

What happens next: French is expected to examine the legal, regulatory, and technological pathways for the South Australian government to impose a ban within the state's constitutional framework.

Read more: The kids are not alright: Is Australia in the midst of a youth mental health crisis?