Media release - Labor must tell families how social media age limit will operate

Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Women
Federal Member for Lindsay

20 June 2025

Labor must tell families how social media age limit will operate

The social media age limit is set to commence in December this year, yet the Albanese Labor Government has still not confirmed what technology or verification tools will be required to protect kids and young people online.

The government will receive preliminary findings from the age assurance technology trial today, but some experts are already raising concerns about the accuracy of potential verification processes.

Nearly half of kids aged eight to 17 have been exposed to inappropriate content on social media. The eSafety Commission says around 44 per cent of young people have experienced cyberbullying.

Even more alarming there has been an increase in youth suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, particularly amongst young girls as teen social media use has proliferated.

Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh MP said, “Australian families are overwhelmingly in favour of increased measures to protect children from harms online, including bullying, predatory behaviour and inappropriate content.”

“The data is reflective of increasing harms with kids’ social media use, and this is why the Parliament has passed legislation for a social media age limit. But time is ticking for the government to make this happen.

“The age assurance technology trial is still not complete, and experts are already raising concerns about the accuracy of potential verification processes.

“Australia needs confidence in the government’s choice of technology and verification tools.

“We are six months away from the age limit commencing and social media companies need clarity now around what requirements must be put in place to protect our children.

“The government must get this right. No more young lives can be lost or families destroyed because of the toxicity of social media.”