Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new social media ban for young people may appeal to worried parents, but it doesn’t address the real problems with social media platforms.

Labor, with the support of the Coalition, passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 on November 27 banning social media platforms for under 16-year-olds. It will take effect in the next 12 months.

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Albanese claimed he wanted kids “off their devices and onto the footy fields, swimming pools and tennis courts”. He repeated that the ban meant “parents can have a different discussion with their young ones” — reinforcing the illusion that the new law will keep young people safe.

Although social media bans have been imposed in countries such as France and Norway, Australia has set the highest minimum age of 16-years-old, a world first.

France’s ban prevents under 15-year-olds from accessing social media, while Norway has an age limit of 13. Despite this, more than half of 9-year-olds, 58% of 10-year olds and 72% of 11-year-olds are on social media according to the Guardian.

French education minister Anne Genetet is pushing for the European........

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