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 , 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.