87 Percent of Australians Call for Tougher Social Media Age Restrictions

An overwhelming 87 percent of Australians demand stricter age limits for social media use, with 16 emerging as the preferred minimum age. Parents are leading the charge, with 91 percent of those with kids aged 5-17 calling for stricter restrictions to protect their children from the dangers of social media. The Statewide Survey, commissioned by the Minns Labor Government, was conducted between Aug. 11 and Sept. 15, engaging more than 21,000 participants. The findings spotlight growing concerns about how much time young people spend on social media, with those aged 16-17 averaging over three hours of daily usage. Alarmingly, social media engagement begins as early as ages 10-12, with 70 percent of children in this age group already active on social platforms, and usage rising steadily with age....