Looks like Albo is going ahead to legislate age limits for access to social media. Somewhere between 14 to 16 years of age.

This may be a good intentioned idea but I reckon it is unenforceable.

One of the blog powers that be has directed our attention to a LinkedIn post from Daniel Angus, the director of the Queensland University of Technology’s digital media research centre.

Angus echoes other peak body’s frustrations with the social media age verification push the government has adopted – because it is not based on evidence.

Angus:

The Australian federal government’s reckless decision this morning to impose an age ban on youth using social media – before the joint inquiry into social media in Australia has even issued a proper interim report from hundreds of expert submissions –

shows utter disregard for evidence-based policy

.

This kneejerk move undermines the joint inquiry and deliberative democratic principles and threatens to create serious harm by excluding young people from meaningful, healthy participation in the digital world, potentially driving them to lower quality online spaces, and removing an important means of social connection.

It also means that very large online platforms are going to be let off the hook in making necessary reforms to the quality of content on their platforms, as this simply places a gate at the door rather than improving what’s on the other side.

If this is how the Anthony Albanese government “listens” to experts, it seems the inquiry was just a sham to begin with. No doubt this populist policy will sell well with the older demographics, but it’s a misguided distraction from the necessary structural reforms that would provide long term benefit to youth in this country.