Australian parliamentary inquiry stops short of backing social media ban for under-16s

Parliamentarians said there were ‘contrasting views’ on whether an age ban would make technology safer. Photograph: Alamy/PA

A parliamentary committee examining the impact of social media on Australian society has recommended users be given the power to alter, reset or turn off algorithms, as well as be provided with greater privacy protection, but has stopped short of recommending a ban on under-16s accessing social media.

The wide-ranging inquiry, which was predominantly focused on the impact of social media on young people, came as both the Coalition opposition and the federal government adopted a policy to ban under-16s from social media pending legislation to be introduced into parliament before the end of the year.