Australia is currently gearing up for a massive crackdown on children’s access to social media, with a minimum age limit that could potentially be set as high as 16, the Australian Prime Minister announced on Tuesday.

The federal government plans to introduce new legislation this year aimed at blocking children from accessing popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

While the exact age limit is yet to be determined, the Prime Minister revealed it could range between 14 and 16 years old, with his personal preference being a ban on users under 16.

“I want to see kids off their devices and onto the footy fields, swimming pools, and tennis courts,” the Prime Minister said. “We want them to have real experiences with real people because social media is causing significant harm.”

He pointed to the damaging mental health effects linked to social media use among young people, calling it a “scourge” that needs to be addressed.

Age verification trials are set to take place over the coming months, but experts are already raising questions about whether such limits can realistically be enforced.

Some are concerned that imposing an age limit could backfire, excluding young people from healthy online engagement.

Analysts are noting that while setting boundaries for young people’s access to social media might be logical, the bigger issue lies in regulating social media platforms themselves.

Australia has been a global leader in regulating social media, with its online safety watchdog frequently clashing with platforms like Elon Musk’s X over their content policies.

What do you make of this bold move?