Australia's states and territories on Friday unanimously backed a national plan to require most forms of social media to bar children younger than 16.
Leaders of the eight provinces held a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss what he calls a world-first national approach that would make platforms including X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook responsible for enforcing the age limit.
"Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians," Albanese told reporters. "The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority."
The government leaders had been discussing for months setting a limit, considering options from 14 to 16 years of age.
While Tasmania would have preferred 14, the state was prepared to support 16 in the interests of achieving national uniformity, Albanese said.
