Australia Plans To Set Age Limits In Playing Social Media

Illustration of social media (photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Australia plans to set a minimum age limit for children to use various social media platforms, due to concerns about children's mental and physical health.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the local government is currently testing age verification before they will introduce regulations related to the minimum age limit in playing social media.

"I want to see the kids leave their devices and go to football fields, swimming pools and tennis courts," Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

However, Albanese did not mention how old the minimum is. However, the age could range from 14 to 16 years.

If the law is enacted, then Australia will be the first country to impose age restrictions on children in social media play.

"We want them to have a real experience with real people because we know that social media causes social damage," he added.

Albanese announced plans to limit the age to the background of parliamentary investigations on the impact of social media on society, particularly the adverse effects on mental health on adolescents.

However, the investigation also continues to hear concerns about whether lower age limits could be imposed.