With the rise of social media fuelling increasing levels of cyberbullying, anxiety, depression and even suicide among teenagers, the NSW Opposition remains committed to supporting raising the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 16.
In August, the NSW Opposition endorsed the 36 Months campaign, which spotlighted the critical dangers social media poses to children during the most vulnerable stage of their psychological development, between the ages of 13 and 16.
The Legislative Assembly carried the motion of the Leader of the NSW Opposition Mark Speakman to support raising the legal age of access to social media from 13 to 16 and to call on the NSW and Federal Governments to work together to implement this much-needed change by July 2025.
Mr Speakman said our children are facing a mental health crisis driven by the unchecked influence of social media.
“Parents feel powerless, watching their kids struggle under the pressure of a digital world they’re not ready for. By raising the social media age to 16, we’re giving families back control and protecting our young people when they need it most,” Mr Speakman said.
New data from the eSafety Commissioner revealed that 84% of children aged 8 to 12 have accessed social media platforms. Alarmingly, 1.3 million Australian children under 13 are currently using social media, exposing them to risks such as cyberbullying, online predators and harmful content that severely impacts their mental health.
Peter Dutton, Leader of the Federal Opposition, has also committed to raising the national minimum age for social media use to 16 within his first 100 days in office, ensuring that this critical change is implemented nationwide.
Parents, community groups and mental health experts have repeatedly called for stronger safeguards to protect young people.
We’re not just talking about numbers—these are real lives, real families, and real tragedies. It’s time to stand up to the tech giants and put our children’s futures first.
The NSW Opposition is committed to standing alongside parents and families across the state, ensuring that governments act now to safeguard the mental health and well-being of young Australians.
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