South Australia is looking at banning social media for kids. 

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced the appointment of Robert French AC, former Chief Justice of the High Court, to lead a legal review aimed at banning social media accounts for children under the age of 14.

This initiative comes amidst concerns from experts and the wider community about the detrimental effects of social media on young users. 

These concerns include exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and negative impacts on mental health and development. 

The proposed legislation would also require parental consent for children aged 14 and 15 to use social media.

Robert French AC is tasked with examining the legal, regulatory, and technological pathways to enforce this ban while considering constitutional constraints. 

“Like most parents, I am concerned about the impact social media is having on children in our community,” Premier Malinauskas says.

“We are seeing mounting evidence from experts of the adverse impact of social media on children, their mental health and development. I am determined to ensure as a government we are doing everything we can to protect our children.”

This move aligns with actions taken in other global jurisdictions. 

In March, Florida banned social media accounts for children under 14 and required parental consent for those aged 14 and 15. Texas has enacted similar legislation, and Spain prohibits children under 14 from accessing social networks.

A recent survey by ReachOut, an Australian mental health service, highlighted social media as the primary concern for parents and carers, with 59 per cent worried about their child's social media use and 55 per cent noting its significant impact on their child's wellbeing. 

Further, research in the United States has shown that adolescents who spend over three hours daily on social media are at double the risk of poor mental health outcomes.

Sonya Ryan, founder and CEO of The Carly Ryan Foundation, which advocates for online safety following the tragic online grooming and murder of her daughter Carly, supports the South Australian government's move. 

“Social media presents a ‘profound risk of harm’ for kids,” she said. 

“Children do not have the life experience or the cognitive and executive functioning to think through harmful situations online, sometimes placing themselves at real physical risk.”

However, some experts suggest that legislation should focus on holding social media companies accountable rather than restricting children's access. 

The investigation led by Robert French will also explore enforcement mechanisms, with no set deadline for completion. This initiative could set a precedent in Australia, potentially influencing national policies and aligning with measures in other countries.