Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to introduce legislation today to enforce a minimum age for access to social media.
This follows a discussion from Friday’s national cabinet meeting seeing all states and territories, as well as the Commonwealth, committed to tackling the issue which has had national citizen support.
The legislation will be enforced before the next election.
Albanese appeared on multiple broadcast programs to make the announcement.
“No government is going to be able to protect every child from every threat, but we have to do all we can," the Prime Minister said.
“Australian young people deserve better. I stand with them and with all Australian parents in protecting our kids. The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount.
"Parents want their kids off their phones and on the footy field. So do I. We are taking this action because enough is enough.”
The South Australia premier was the first to enact this discussion and commissioned a report by former High Court chief justice Robert French to examine how the state could implement a social media ban for children under 14.
The report was released on Sunday and is set to guide the federal government's legislation.
The 276-page report includes a draft bill setting out a legislative framework on restricting children's use of social media.
The federal government has not nominated a minimum age but is presently trialling age-assurance mechanisms that are testing the effectiveness of stricter age limits on social media for those aged 13 to 16.
The third phase of this $6.5 million trial begins this week.
Federal opposition also backs a social media ban for children.
Currently major social media platforms require users to be at least 13 years old to sign up for accounts but the age limit is not policed.
Last month, Snapchat said it opposes the federal government's push to raise the age on social media.
Advertising leaders see these regulations as a positive opportunity to decrease ad wastage, boost client confidence and are certain it won't slow advertising investment.
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