South Australia could become the first state in Australia to ban teenagers from using social media.
Children under 14 will be banned from using Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, while those over 14 and 15 will need consent from a parent or guardian.
Former High Court president Robert French AC has been appointed to determine how to implement the ban in the state.
The move has received praise from independent senator Jacqui Lambie, who on Monday compared social media addiction to smoking an “ice pipe”.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the government decided to take drastic action to safeguard the welfare of children.
Children under 14 will be banned from using Facebook, TikTok and Instagram under the new rules (pictured, teen using her phone)
“Like most parents, I am concerned about the impact social media is having on children in our community,” she said Sunday.
“I am determined to ensure that as a Government we do everything we can to protect our children.”
Studies have linked social media use to poor mental health, and research has indicated that popular technology platforms may lead to an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
Social media also exposes users, particularly younger users, to harmful and explicit content such as cyberbullying.
Malinauskas said that although no deadline has been set for introducing the legislation, the government is committed to ensuring the laws are strong enough to protect the most vulnerable.
(‘This) is a very significant and ambitious measure to limit the harm of social networks to our children,’ he said.
“In addition to imposing a ban on all children under the age of 14 from accessing a social media account, South Australia would also require parental consent for children aged 14 and 15.”
Social media apps, including Facebook and Instagram, require users around the world to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account and use these platforms.
These rules are also in force in Australia.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas (pictured) announced the state will introduce new laws to ban young children from using social media.
Studies have linked social media use to poor mental health, and research has indicated that popular technology platforms can lead to an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
However, the rule is not strict enough and therefore allows children to create an online account with the consent of a parent or guardian.
The US state of Florida passed a bill in March that will make it illegal for children under 14 across the state to have a social media account.
Lambie backed the proposal claiming social media was fueling violence and anti-social behaviour.
“You can’t tell me that there isn’t a connection with our children’s behavior right now and what’s happening on social media,” he told Channel Nine’s Today.
‘There’s no way, don’t tell me because I won’t believe you. It’s rubbish.’
His comment came as a disturbing new trend takes hold in Australia’s secondary schools.
Students have been caught boasting about performing degrading or explicit acts on each other before posting them online.
The tendency is known as “missing,” a phrase that means being caught doing something.
In one post, a student was seen pointing a Taser at his classmate, making him scream in terror.
Last year, the eSafety Commissioner received 2,383 reports of cyberbullying, two-thirds of which affected children aged between 12 and 15.
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie (pictured) backed the proposal and criticized the use of social media, which she says is leading to violent and anti-social behaviour.