On 29 November 2024, the Australian Government passed a world-first bill banning individuals under 16 from using social media platforms — such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook — effective the end of next year. The government claims this measure is necessary to protect young people's mental health and well-being.
Our recommendations:
Ahead of the bill's deliberations, Burnet submitted recommendations to the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 committee, urging the government to delay legislative changes until further evidence was gathered and extensive community consultation had taken place.
As a subject matter expert in adolescent health, Burnet emphasised the importance of a trial phase to evaluate the policy’s utility and impact.
The submission drew on research into the effects of social media on young people and insights into community views on online age verification.
We proposed the following actions:
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Research into adverse impacts of the ban: including the loss of access to social networks, health information, and educational resources. Particular attention should focus on how the ban could impact marginalised and stigmatised groups (including the LGBTQIA+ community, young people living with a disability, and multicultural young people) who may be disproportionately affected.
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Consultation and co-design: extensive consultation with children and adults is needed to co-design the appropriate technologies and ensure engagement with proposed changes.
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Investing in research: further investment to understand the positive and negative impacts of social media on children and adults.
Balancing impact
There is currently no definitive evidence that social media has a net positive or negative impact on children — its effects are nuanced.
Social media creates social connections, particularly for marginalised groups, but excessive use or harmful content can have detrimental effects.
Perspectives on age verification
Our research indicates that while 58% of young people (aged 15–29) support age verification for accessing online pornography, they are sceptical about the reliability and privacy of existing systems. They raised concerns about data security and public trust in government or internet companies.
Parents and young people felt that education and open conversations were much more effective and acceptable than age verification. However, they noted that it could play an important role as a 'first line of defence' in preventing younger children from accessing inappropriate content.
Implementation challenges
Implementing this policy would require online age verification, meaning all users, not just children, might need to confirm their age or identity before accessing social media. This could significantly impact everyone using these platforms.
Many tech-savvy teenagers may find ways to bypass the restrictions. There would likely be loopholes that young people could get past. But that doesn't mean that it would not have any impact.
Burnet supports efforts to make a safer online environment for children and all users.
However, any policy should be rooted in robust evidence and informed by extensive community consultation.
We particularly need to engage with children and young people to hear their ideas about developing solutions. They have valuable insights to contribute to addressing the problem.
For more information contact Burnet media and communications or Associate Professor Megan SC Lim, deputy program director of Disease Elimination; head of Young People’s Health.
Selected relevant publications
Turvey J, McKay D, Kaur ST, Castree N, Chang S, Lim MSC
Exploring the Feasibility and Acceptability of Technological Interventions to Prevent Adolescents’ Exposure to Online Pornography: Qualitative Research
JMIR Pediatr Parent 2024;7:e58684 https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2024/1/e58684
Berger MN, Taba M, Marino JL, Lim MSC, Skinner SR
Social Media Use and Health and Well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth: Systematic Review
J Med Internet Res 2022;24(9):e38449 https://www.jmir.org/2022/9/e38449/
Lim, M. S. C., Roode, K., Davis, A. C., & Wright, C. J. C. (2020). ‘Censorship is cancer’. Young people’s support for pornography-related initiatives. Sex Education, 21(6), 660–673. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2020.1845133
Lim MSC, Molenaar A, Brennan L, Reid M, McCaffrey T
Young Adults’ Use of Different Social Media Platforms for Health Information: Insights From Web-Based Conversations
J Med Internet Res 2022;24(1):e23656 https://www.jmir.org/2022/1/e23656/