Australia is set to ban social media for children aged under 16, in a bid to prevent young people from harm, as the prime minister prepares to introduce laws.

Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday the government had agreed to introduce a minimum age for social media access. 

“Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online and I want Australian parents and families to know that the government has your back.

“I want parents to be able to say ‘sorry, mate, it’s against the law’.”

The prime minister said the proposal would go to a virtual meeting of the nation’s leaders on Friday.

“The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access,” he said.

“The onus won’t be on parents or young people. There will be no penalties for users.”

The opposition earlier in 2024 called for children under 16 to be restricted from accessing social media.

Social media companies would be forced to ban children under the age of 14 from their platforms of face harsh fines under proposed laws put forward by the South Australian government. 

It commissioned former High Court justice Robert French to review how companies could restrict children.

Mr Albanese said the eSafety Commissioner will provide oversight and enforcement, with the legislation to kick in 12 months after it passes parliament.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland described the proposed laws as world leading.

“At arriving at this age, the government has taken a pragmatic approach,” she said.

“What our approach does is helps to achieve a balance between minimising those harms that are caused by young people accessing social media, while still enabling connection and inclusion.”

The government will introduce privacy protections for information collected for age assurance purposes.