On Tuesday, I announced that our government is going to create a new minimum age for access to social media.
We will bring this legislation into parliament before the end of the year. This is all about supporting parents and protecting children.
I know there are many mums and dads who have been pushing for change in this area and this newspaper has run a strong campaign in support of them.
The South Australian government has been doing important work as well but, at the end of the day, this in an issue that crosses state borders.
It’s a national challenge that requires national leadership.
That’s what our government is stepping up to deliver.
As parents, we love our children and we worry about them.
We do everything we can to keep our kids safe and to help them grow up happy, confident and comfortable with who they are.
Wherever I go in Australia, I know one of the biggest things worrying mums and dads is the impact social media is having on their children’s wellbeing.
There’s no going back to a world without technology and the internet has given all of us access to a world of knowledge and culture that can be such a force for good.
But, too often, social media isn’t social at all. Instead, it’s used as a weapon for bullies, a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators.
Like anything, as we get older most of us get better at spotting the fakes and the risks and we build up the resilience to ignore the nastiness.
We get to know that our followers aren’t necessarily our friends and we learn not to measure ourselves against the unattainable standards of curated images.
All of this is tough for young adults and it’s much harder for children. What’s more, parents feel they are working without a map.
No previous generation has grown up with smartphones and social media as part of their daily life.
Parents are worried about where all this leads and they’re looking to us to help.
That’s why we’re working with the eSafety Commissioner to help parents talk to their children about being safe online and partnering with the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation to fund digital literacy programs in every school in Australia.
Of course, parents already have the option of banning phones or particular social media platforms for their children.
But when they do they are up against the powerful force of peer pressure and no-one wants to make their child the odd one out.
Setting a new national minimum age for social media also sets a new community standard.
It takes pressure off parents and teachers and backs them with the authority of government and the law.
Changing the dynamic in the schoolyard is crucial to making lasting change in behaviour.
We all know that technology moves fast. I’m sure there will be people who make it a priority to find or make ways around these new laws, some might succeed.
None of that is an excuse for inaction.
After all, there are plenty of young people who find ways to get alcohol before they turn 18 but no-one is saying we should lower the drinking age.
Government may not be able to protect every child from every threat on social media but we do have a responsibility to do everything we can, to help as many young Australians as we can.
I want young Australians to grow up playing outside with their friends, on the footy field, in the swimming pool, trying every sport that grabs their interest, discovering music and art, being confident and happy in the classroom and at home. Gaining and growing from real experiences, with real people.
We want children to have their childhood. We want parents to have peace of mind.
That’s what a minimum age for safer social media will help achieve.
Our government understands people are under pressure with the cost of living and we’re acting to help.
We know parents are worried about social media and we’re stepping up to help.
That’s what our Government does. We listen, we act, we deliver change that makes a positive difference for all Australians.
This opinion piece was first published in The Herald Sun on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.
