Labor’s plan to ban children from social media might actually create more harm, charity says

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation says raising the age limit on social media could ‘drive help-seeking behaviour underground’ for young people who encounter adult content. Photograph: Zak Waters/Alamy

A child protection organisation cited by the prime minister in an opinion piece arguing for his government’s policy to ban younger teens from social media says the ban is unlikely to make any difference, and could create more harm for kids.

After his announcement the government would introduce legislation to ban younger teens and children from social media by the end of the year, Anthony Albanese wrote in a Wednesday opinion piece in the Herald Sun that the response had been led by “many mums and dads … pushing for change”, and a “strong campaign” from the paper.