As a mother of two young daughters, I understand the concerns parents have around social media, like bullying, peer pressure and negative body image. Or unintentionally accessing harmful, distressing and age-inappropriate content.
Recent research by our online safety regulator, eSafety, found almost two-thirds of 14 to 17-year-olds have viewed extremely harmful content including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm, as well as gory or violent material online. A quarter have been exposed to content promoting unhealthy eating habits.
Digital platforms, government and society all have a role to play in ensuring our children are safe online.
We know that technology moves fast and no government can protect every child from every threat, every day. But we have to do all we can to address this.
The Albanese Government is leading an important national conversation on this issue and we are engaging experts, parents and young people.
Parents I speak to are rightly concerned about the potential for social media to negatively influence or harm their children.
Young people are telling me they understand the need for protections too.
Our Government will introduce legislation into the Parliament by the end of the year to create a new minimum age for access to social media.
In this pursuit, the national conversation has proposed a range of ages to be considered.
We will be guided by evidence. Our age assurance trial is testing technologies that could be effective to ensure ages from 13 up to 16.
eSafety is also working across multiple fronts to support a safer online environment for all Australians.
It offers a wealth of resources to help put parental controls in place and guide important conversations about children’s online experiences. I encourage parents, carers, educators and children to visit www.esafety.gov.au to find out more.
Australia leads the world in online safety, but with technology evolving rapidly, we need to stay vigilant.
Our priority is the ongoing safety of Australians, and that's the forward-facing national approach we are taking.
Michelle Rowland MP is the Federal Member for Greenway and Minister for Communications. If you need assistance with any Federal issue, you can contact Michelle by phone on 02 9671 4780 or by email at Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au
