Social Media

Social Media – New South Wales

Summit Overview

The South Australian government will unveil evidence supporting its proposed ban on social media accounts for teenagers under 14 at a joint summit in Sydney and Adelaide this October. This move is in response to increasing concerns about social media’s impact on young people.

Government Actions and Support

In May, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas appointed a former High Court chief justice to examine the feasibility of implementing the social media ban. Since then, the premiers of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria have also expressed support for restricting access to social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Summit Details

The summit will be held on October 10 at the ICC Sydney, with the second day scheduled for October 11 in Adelaide. The event will feature senior officials, policymakers, academics, and representatives from leading social media and digital technology companies.

Objectives and Focus

Premier Malinauskas emphasized that the summit will provide parents with insight into the scientific evidence behind the proposed ban and discuss strategies to improve children’s wellbeing. The summit will explore various themes, including:

  • Developing a public health response to social media
  • Addressing social media-related issues in schools
  • Understanding social media’s role in shaping identity, belonging, and worldviews
  • Examining the connections between social media, extremism, and misogyny

Statements from Leaders

NSW Premier Chris Minns has proposed raising the minimum age for social media use to 16, citing concerns about the negative effects of unregulated social media on young people’s mental health and overall wellbeing.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed the initiative, acknowledging the concerns of parents regarding online safety. He has emphasized that any age restrictions must be proven effective.

Federal Government’s Commitment

In the May federal budget, the government allocated $6.5 million to pilot “age-assurance technologies” to test their effectiveness and explore their potential implementation.

Summit Venues

The first day of the summit will be hosted by the NSW government at the ICC Sydney, followed by the second day hosted by the South Australian government in Adelaide.