This open-letter, signed by over 140 Australian academics, international experts, and civil society organisations, addresses the proposal to ‘ban’ children from social media until the age of 16. They argue that a ‘ban’ is too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively and that any restrictions must be designed with care.

Revealing widespread community concerns about the impact of social media on children, young people, and broader society, this survey report finds that 87 per cent of respondents support implementing age restrictions for social media use, with 16 being the most suggested minimum age.

This report follows a legal examination to determine whether the State of South Australia could legislate a ban on access to social media services by children under 14 and to restrict access to social media services by children between the ages of 14 and 16 by requiring parental consent to their access. The report also...

With international and domestic discussions on banning children and young people from social media, this report is a timely contribution that aims to inform stakeholders and organisations concerned with the wellbeing, education, social participation, and safety of children using digital technologies.

This chronology provides an overview of key milestones in digital platform regulation from the introduction of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015 to the end of 2023.