DiGi concerned social media ban could push kids into ‘more dangerous parts of internet’

The local association supporting the world’s biggest tech companies has warned the Albanese Government of “unintentionally pushing our kids” into dangerous parts of the internet if Labor tries to ban teens from using social media.

Digital Industry Group Inc. managing director Sunita Bose — who heads the not-for-profit body advocating for the digital industry in Australia — urged the Government to consider further “expert voices” on the implications of introducing an age ban for social media.

“In addition to strong enforced safety restrictions, right now DIGI and its members are working closely with the eSafety Commissioner to create a second set of new legal requirements under the Online Safety Act that protect our children from unsuitable content,” she said on Wednesday.

“Ongoing investment and innovation in online safety is key.

“We urge the Government to listen to expert voices such as the eSafety Commissioner, the eSafety youth council, mental health experts, as well as LGBTQIA+ and other marginalised groups who have expressed concerns about bans so that we’re not unintentionally pushing our kids into unsafe, less visible parts of the Internet.”

Ms Bose said DiGI — whose members include companies that are expected to be impacted by a ban such as Discord, Snap, TikTok and Meta — plans to “engage constructively with the Government on the details of proposals in this area as we all work together to keep our kids safe”.

“Keeping young people safe online is a top priority for parents and platforms — mainstream digital services are making multi-billion dollar investments in safety and continued innovation,” she said.

Ms Bose’s comments followed concerns raised by social media experts who said age-limit laws would be impossible to enforce and would only “kick the problem down the road”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced he would introduce legislation to impose minimum age limits for the use of the sites but has yet to decide on the cut-off age.

He has said: “The right age is between 14 and 16. I err on the side of a higher limit.”

“We know there are mental health consequences for what many of the young people have had to deal with — the bullying that can occur online, the access to material which causes social harm — and parents are wanting a response,” Mr Albanese added on radio.

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland told The West Australian on Wednesday that engagement with parents and young Australians had aided the decision to legislate a minimum age ban.

“The Government’s message to Australian parents is clear — we have your back, we’re listening and we’re determined to act to get this right,” she said.

The announcement comes after the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts lodged a tender document for its age assurance technology trial on Tuesday.

The $6.5 million trial was announced in May and aims to “examine options to protect children from harmful online content such as pornography and other age-restricted services, as well as harms on social media,” according to the document.