Tuesday, 10 September 2024

Ministers statements: social media age limits

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:46): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government will work with South Australia and the Commonwealth to introduce age limits for social media. This morning I was delighted to attend South Melbourne Primary School with the Premier, Minister for Education and the member for Albert Park Nina Taylor from the other place to outline our plan to start a discussion with parents, children and experts about planned changes ahead. The discussion we had with South Melbourne Primary School students really was inspiring and validating.

Following detailed work commissioned by the government of South Australia and supported by Victoria, the Commonwealth today announced a plan to deliver social media age limits through a national approach and legislation. Whilst Victoria is prepared to introduce state legislation, we are pleased to prioritise a nationally consistent approach and work with the Commonwealth to help deliver one set of clear rules to keep the tech giants in check. Victoria will lead a consultation round with parents, schools and children to make sure their needs and circumstances are considered during the development of the national reforms. Led by the Parliamentary Secretary for Children Nathan Lambert and Parliamentary Secretary for Education Nina Taylor, findings will be shared with the Commonwealth.

As the mum of a six-year-old girl, social media terrifies me, and it is something that I hear all the time from parents in the community and parents I speak to day to day. The evidence shows that I, along with parents across Victoria, have cause for concern. At a younger and younger age, children are presenting with the detrimental side effects of this technology. It is impacting their mental health, their behaviour and their concentration, and it is why we are so supportive of a national approach and a commitment to making sure that new rules do not target parents but target the tech giants. The tech companies see 12- and 14-year-olds as dividends, while we see them as impressionable kids who need to be protected. As a parent and as the Minister for Children, I am so pleased to be announcing this work supporting a national approach to age limits on social media so that we can ensure we are doing everything that we can to protect our children.