Education Minister Calls for Bulletproof Technology to Keep Kids Off Social Media

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Australian Education Minister Jason Clare has stressed the importance of effective age verification technology amid discussions about a potential social media ban for children under 16.

He believes that both the Liberal and Labor Parties could collaborate on this issue.

This comes after Opposition leader Peter Dutton revealed a plan to block social media for youth if the Coalition wins the next election.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also agreed that 16 was the right age to access social media, noting the Federal government has put $6.5 million towards a trial to devise suitable age verification technology.

“We all agree we don’t want our kids on it. It’s about how you do it. How do you make sure the technology works? And that’s what the trial we are undertaking is about,” Mr. Clare said on Sunrise.

“Let’s be honest, if our kids can get around it, they will, so we want to make sure that it’s bulletproof, that we’ve got the right sort of technological fix here so that our kids aren’t exposed to some of the awfulness that we see on social media today.”

The minister expressed that every parent with a child is concerned about this issue and does not want to see bickering between the political parties.

“You have mums and dads getting kids ready for school. Anyone with a child from 5-15 is worried about it. They want to hear we’re working together,” he said.

Deputy Opposition Leader Does Not Want Social Media Profiting From Our Kids

Meanwhile, Deputy Opposition leader Sussan Ley said Mr. Dutton has shown decisive leadership on the issue, which holds personal significance due to his background as a police officer protecting children online.

She also emphasised that social media companies should not profit from children, calling for measures to enforce the ban.

“There are technological ways to do this, it is perfectly possible,” she said.

“They are reluctant to do it because what they are doing is actually profiting off the social media accounts of our kids.”

Earlier in the week, Mr. Dutton promised plans to ban teenage children from accessing social media, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

Mr. Dutton said the Coalition wants the same rules and the same laws that apply in real life to apply online.

“These companies need to be pressured, and if we do nothing, the red lines continue to be crossed,” he said.

“So I think we can work with the technology companies, we can work through the tax system or whatever is required to budge these companies into an outcome,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the issue, highlighting the negative impact of social media on young people.

“I want people to spend more time on the footy field or the netball court than they’re spending on their phones,” he told media in Adelaide.

“It is an issue which parents have raised with me, and I reckon there’s not a school where parents aren’t talking about these issues. It is a scourge.”

Meanwhile, lead Libertarian Senate Candidate for Victoria Jordan Dittloff suggested it should be up to the parents.

“Today Peter Dutton confirmed he supports social media censorship,” Mr. Dittloff said.

“There is absolutely inappropriate content online, but there are many tools parents can use to limit access for their children. Remember, eSafety was originally children’s safety.”