Australia made global headlines when it introduced a minimum age of 16 for social media. But months on, more than eight in 10 kids are still using age-restricted platforms.

Justin Coulson sits down with Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells to ask what is happening, why compliance has been so difficult, and what the new Digital Duty of Care could mean for families.

The proposed laws go beyond social media to cover gaming, AI chatbots and other online platforms, with new requirements around harmful content and addictive design features such as endless scrolling and popularity metrics.

KEY POINTS

  • Why compliance with the under-16 social media laws has been slower than expected
  • Why the responsibility needs to sit with big tech, not exhausted parents
  • What the proposed Digital Duty of Care could change
  • How AI, gaming, chatbots and other platforms will be covered
  • The harmful content and design features the government wants platforms to address
  • What age verification means for access to pornography
  • Why VPNs and other workarounds make online safety harder
  • The early signs that some young Australians are sleeping better, playing more sport and seeing less online bullying

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“This is about introducing some basic safety standards to an industry that hasn’t had any.”
Anika Wells

RESOURCES MENTIONED

  • Australia’s under-16 social media legislation
  • The proposed Digital Duty of Care
  • eSafety Commissioner research and long-term studies
  • Australia’s online pornography age-verification laws
  • happyfamilies.com.au

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

  • Talk with your kids about why these laws exist rather than making the conversation only about rules.
  • Keep an eye on the platforms, games and AI tools your children are using.
  • Pay attention to sleep, mood, sport, friendships and offline activities, not just screen-time minutes.
  • Use the law as a support when conversations about online safety become difficult.
  • Stay informed as the Digital Duty of Care develops.

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