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Media statement: Banning kids from social media no silver bullet

Act for Kids

Act for Kids recognises Prime Minster Anthony Albanese’s move to restrict access to social media for children under 16 as a significant step to better protect children from online harm.

While we welcome this, there needs to be greater emphasis on social media giants and their own provisions to protect all children from online harm, regardless of their age.

We also acknowledge there is not yet effective technology in place for age assurance or to verify parental consent.  

Act for Kids wants to see more commitment from the Federal Government that they will hold social media companies accountable for improving the safety and wellbeing of all social media users.

We will continue to strongly urge parents and carers to empower children with the knowledge they need to stay safe online, noting Act for Kids own research found 55% of parents allow children unsupervised access to the internet.

We remain committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that protect young people and foster safer online environments for all.  

• Quotes above can be attributed to Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines

Here are some ways to help keep kids safe online:

1. Secure household devices by setting passwords or child-locks on kids’ devices. This includes smart fridges, gaming consoles and even Google Home.
2. Supervise children online and monitor the material they are accessing by keeping devices in a shared family area. This will assist to regularly check their privacy settings and internet search limitations as well as yours.
3. Act for Kids encourages parents and guardians to have a frank conversation with their children about the dangers the internet can pose.

About us:

Act for Kids is a leading children’s organisation delivering evidence-based, trauma informed professional therapy, and support services for children who have experienced, or are at risk, of harm.  

Act for Kids’ purpose is to keep kids safe, heal from trauma and lead happy lives. We have helped hundreds of thousands of children and families over the past 35 years.

Our support includes therapy, prevention, treatment, research, education and advocacy services.  

We operate from over 30 centres across Australia, with a team of 490 staff from Adelaide all the way up to the Cape York Peninsula.

Contact details:

For interview opportunities, please contact Melanie Whiting, media and advocacy specialist, on:

M: 0427 794 666

E: melanie.whiting@actforkids.com.au