Lyla Lindsey
Australia has implemented and proposed a variety of bans, from product bans to social media bans. Bans can be placed on products and services if they are deemed to cause harm to users. Notably, Australia has approved a social media ban for children under the age of 16, aiming to protect them from harmful content, misinformation, and other risks. This ban has sparked debate, with supporters arguing for the protection of children and opponents questioning its effectiveness. Australia has also banned certain video games deemed inappropriate, refusing classification and prohibiting their sale. These bans highlight Australia's efforts to safeguard its citizens, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, from potential harm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Social media ban for children under 16 | Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, TikTok |
| Video games refused classification by the ACB | Banned for sale, hire or public exhibition, with a maximum fine of $275,000 and/or 10 years in jail |
| Products and product-related services that may cause serious injury, illness, or death | Banned |
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What You'll Learn
Social media for under-16s
In November 2024, Australia passed a law banning individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. The ban will come into effect in December 2025, a year after its announcement. This law is part of a broader effort to address growing concerns about the mental health impacts of digital platforms on children and teens. It is also aimed at protecting young people from the "harms" of social media, including cyberbullying, harmful content, and online predators.
The Australian government has stated that social media networks will have to take "reasonable steps" to prevent those under 16 from having an account. This could include implementing age-verification technology, such as facial recognition and age estimation. However, there are concerns about the accuracy of such technology and its potential impact on privacy and social connection.
The ban has been met with mixed reactions. Some parents and child welfare groups support the ban, believing that it will protect children from unacceptable content and the negative effects of excessive social media use. On the other hand, critics argue that a blanket ban is too simplistic and may not effectively address the risks associated with social media use. They suggest that it could push children towards less regulated corners of the internet, hindering their social development and access to information.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has also expressed reservations about the ban, citing concerns about its impact on children's human rights. They suggest that less restrictive alternatives, such as placing a legal duty of care on social media companies, could achieve the aim of protecting children without infringing on their rights.
The success and effectiveness of Australia's social media ban for under-16s remain to be seen, and the world is watching to understand its implications and whether it offers a viable model for addressing concerns about youth mental health and online safety.
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Certain video games
Australia has banned certain video games that feature drug use, sexual content, and/or graphic violence. Before 2013, the Australian Classification Board had no rating for games aimed at mature audiences aged 18 or over, which meant that many games were refused classification and banned from sale in the country.
Games such as Manhunt, which features high-impact violence and torture, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, were banned from sale in Australia. Grand Theft Auto V was also pulled from shelves in Kmart and Target over concerns about its depiction of sexual violence.
Games that feature drug use are also banned in Australia. DayZ, for example, was banned because players could restore health by smoking a joint, which was seen as incentivizing drug use. The game was modified to remove the reference to cannabis, but it was then banned again because one of the downloadable content features included drugs. Other games banned for similar reasons include We Happy Few, Hotline Miami, and Left 4 Dead 2.
Developers of banned games can appeal classification decisions and make changes to their games to gain approval. For example, the ban on DayZ was dropped after the developers removed the joint-smoking aspect of the game, and Left 4 Dead 2 was eventually reclassified as R18+.
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Products that may cause harm
Australia has strict rules regarding products that may cause harm to its citizens, especially children. In 2024, the Australian government announced its plan to introduce a social media ban for children under the age of 16, targeting platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, and X. This decision was made to protect children from harmful content, including pornography, misinformation, bullying, and other social pressures. The onus will be on social media platforms to ensure they prevent access to minors, with fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance. This legislation has received almost universal political support, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assuring Australian parents that "the government has your back."
In addition to social media, Australia also has strict regulations regarding video games. The Australian Classification Board (ACB) reviews all media intended for retail display, and content deemed inappropriate may be "Refused Classification" (RC), banning it from sale and resulting in heavy fines if copies are found at the border. Games refused classification often contain material unsuitable for the R18+ rating, such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use.
To further protect its citizens, Australia has placed bans on products and product-related services that pose a risk of causing serious injury, illness, or death. These bans extend across various industries and product categories to ensure the safety of Australian consumers.
While these measures aim to safeguard Australians, particularly vulnerable groups like children, they have also sparked debates about the role of education in navigating online risks and the potential limitations on personal freedoms. Some, like Melbourne student Leo Puglisi, argue that lawmakers lack the perspective of those who grew up in the digital age, and that social media is an integral part of daily life that cannot be ignored.
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Importing prohibited goods
Australia has strict rules regarding the import of prohibited goods. Bans can be placed on products and services if they are deemed to cause serious injury, illness, or death. The Australian Border Force provides information on prohibited goods and the requirements for importing and exporting.
The Australian Classification Board (ACB) reviews all media intended for retail display, including films and video games. If the content is deemed inappropriate, it may be "Refused Classification" (RC) and banned from sale. Any copies of RC works found at the border will be seized, and the importer may face hefty fines.
Video games refused classification by the ACB can be banned for sale, hire, or public exhibition, with penalties of up to $275,000 in fines and/or 10 years in jail. It is important to note that it is still legal to possess RC games in most parts of Australia, except in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory.
Some video games may be available for purchase in a censored or altered form to comply with Australian standards. The introduction of the R18+ rating in 2013 reduced the number of games refused classification, as publishers could pay a reclassification fee to sell their games to adults. However, games may still be refused classification if they contain material deemed unsuitable, such as extreme violence or the promotion of illegal drug use.
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Mobile phones in classrooms
In Australia, the use of mobile phones in classrooms is a contentious issue, with some states and territories implementing bans while others are considering similar measures. Queensland is the only state that has not banned or is in the process of banning mobile phones in schools as of April 2023. However, individual principals in Queensland schools have the autonomy to decide on their mobile phone policy, ranging from a complete ban to full classroom access.
Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory have all banned mobile phones in government schools. In Western Australia, students from kindergarten to year 6 who bring phones to school must surrender them to teachers until the end of the day. Students from years 7 to 12 can keep their phones but must remain switched off and out of sight. A similar policy is in place in Victoria, where students are required to switch off their phones and store them securely. In Tasmania, mobile phones are banned during school hours, including recess and lunch breaks. The Northern Territory has a ban for primary school students, while secondary students must keep their phones switched off and securely stored.
South Australia has implemented a ban on mobile phones from the first bell to the last, including during class time, recess, and lunch. This ban has been deemed “overwhelmingly successful” by Premier Peter Malinauskas, who believes it has caused no harm to young people. New South Wales (NSW) has also joined the list of states with mobile phone bans in public high schools.
While some experts and parents support these bans, citing improved student engagement and reduced distractions, cyberbullying, and social media usage, others argue that bans hinder students' ability to prepare for the real world. Griffith University lecturer Jason Zagami suggests that instead of banning phones, students should be taught how to use the technology effectively and appropriately to gain advantages.
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