Jess Teesdale (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

TEESDALE () (): My question is for the Minister for Communications. How will the world-leading online-safety measures, implemented by the Albanese Labor government, put Australian families before online platforms?

Anika Wells (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Bass for her question and for her beautiful first speech in this place. The Albanese government's social media delay is genuinely world-leading. It is the first of its kind to pass anywhere in the world. Australia should be immensely proud that, as a country, we have decided to prioritise the online safety of children and put families before platforms. This is Australian commitment at its best because, if it were easy, other countries would have done it already. A continent considered disconnected from the world is now showing the world that we can be safely connected.

Social media connects us, it binds us, it fosters connection and social cohesion, but it is also used to abuse, control and harass. We know that social media platforms can target children with chilling control. Now, Australians are taking some of that control back. Here is what Australian parents had to say after the social media minimum age rules were tabled in the House yesterday. Alexandra said: 'I love these laws because it changes the conversations I have with my seven- and nine-year-olds and, hopefully, makes me less of a villain. It's the law. It makes it a little easier.' Jackie said, 'Parents cannot police these things entirely on their own, so having policies that support good practice is a relief.' Rebecca said: 'This feels like a step in common sense as a basic principle. I don't know if I'm the only one, but in the last decade it has felt like we are all spiralling a little, so this is refreshing.' Rebecca, you are not alone—we are all in this fight together, and the Albanese government has your back.

There is no perfect solution when it comes to keeping young Australians safe online, but the social media minimum age will make a meaningful difference. We are giving children three more years to build real-world connections and to build online resilience. There is a place for social media, but there is not a place for predatory algorithms that target young Australians.