How one state sparked Australia's push to keep kids off social media

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Governments around the world have been grappling with the best way to protect young people from the harms of social media.

Australia has clamped down the hardest with laws to keep young teens off it – the seed of an idea that sprouted in South Australia.

The South Australian government, led by Premier Peter Malinauskas, has proposed legislation to keep children under the age of 14 off social media. 

READ MORE: Aussie kids banned from social media as critics slam 'sham' debate

South Australia led the push to ban children from social media.

"I think that the impact is so dramatic that to ignore the evidence that we now know says is doing harm would actually be reckless and irresponsible," Malinauskas said.

He is a worried parent himself having the same conversations as many other families around the country.

"It's something that my wife and I have spent a lot of time talking about but it was actually my wife reading the book The Anxious Generation that generated her saying to me, 'you should do something about this'," Malinauskas said.

He commissioned a comprehensive report that ultimately led to the proposal to ban social media for children under 14. 

It was quickly picked up nationally, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing plans to ban children under 16 from social media. 

READ MORE: Revealed: What apps will and won't be covered by social media ban

That proposed legislation has been tabled in parliament and passed on Thursday night.

However, some argue that restricting access to social media may not be the solution.

"For many young people social media is a place they can connect, they can create they can develop their identity," ReachOut deputy CEO Jackie Hallan said.

"Seventy-three per cent of young people are using social media to access mental health and wellbeing support," she added.

But others say an age limit can be a crucial first step. 

"Nothing will make as big a difference as restricting kids from these platforms in the first instance," Malinauskas said.

Support is available from the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.



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