In June, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announced that a Coalition Government would raise the age of social media access to 16.
The Coalition also committed to introducing legislation to give effect to this within 100 days of taking office, including an obligation on social media companies to implement age verification technology.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton said the Albanese Government’s
announcement was simply playing catchup.
“The Coalition made this commitment because of the serious harm social media is doing to our children.”
“These issues have become a significant source of anxiety for our local families, who feel helpless in protecting their children from the harmful effects of unchecked social media use.”
“The current situation, where social media companies have no obligation to stop underage users from accessing their platforms, is simply unacceptable, we need to empower parents and carers,” Mr Hamilton said.
The Albanese Labor Government has been weak and indecisive on this issue from the start.
Mr Hamilton contrasted this with the Coalition’s clear plan to address serious issues and protect Australian children from social media harm.
The Prime Minister has now stated that the Government will legislate to set an age limit for children accessing social media. However, incredibly, he still can’t specify what that age limit will be.
“This is a reactive, half-hearted response to mounting pressure from concerned Australian families,” Mr Hamilton said.
ENDS.
Media Contact: Greta Dwan 0414 211 908
BACKGROUND
- A Coalition Government would raise the age of social media access to 16.
- The Coalition is committed to introducing legislation to give effect to this within 100 days of taking office.
- The legislation would include an obligation on social media companies to use age verification technology.
- A Coalition Government will make it an offence to post criminal acts online.
- People convicted of this offence will be banned from using digital platforms and liable for up to two years’ imprisonment.
- The Coalition welcomes the Government’s decision to finally back our policy for an age verification trial.
- A Coalition Government will extend this to include social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
- A Coalition Government will make it an offence to use mobile phone and computer networks to cause an intimate partner or family member to fear for their personal safety, to track them using spyware, or engage in coercive behaviours.
- A Coalition Government will industrialise our law enforcement and intelligence strike capabilities against sexual predators online and in our communities.
- A Coalition Government will double the size of the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation
