Federal Addiction Commissioner Advocates Tiered Age Restrictions for Social Media Use

The Federal Government's Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues has proposed the introduction of age-tiered access to features and content on social media platforms, aiming to enhance the online safety of children and adolescents. According to the Commissioner, certain functionalities and content types within social media applications should only become accessible as users reach specific age thresholds, thereby providing a more age-appropriate digital environment for younger users.

The official emphasized the necessity of creating protected digital spaces for minors, with a particular focus on reducing exposure to mechanisms that encourage extended usage, such as algorithm-driven content feeds. The current design of many social media platforms, which often promotes continuous engagement, is seen as inappropriate for children and teenagers. The Commissioner highlighted the importance of implementing technical measures to ensure that addictive features are restricted according to the age of the user, helping to prevent excessive screen time among young people.

In addition to technical safeguards, the Commissioner recommended that parents establish clear guidelines for mobile phone usage within the household. Parents are encouraged to monitor and regulate their children's digital activity, especially if signs of excessive use appear--such as reluctance to put devices aside or experiencing stress when offline. Maintaining regular sleep schedules and designating periods free from mobile device usage were identified as crucial steps in promoting healthy digital habits among children and teens.

The responsibility for safeguarding minors in the digital sphere, however, was not placed solely on families. The Commissioner called on governmental bodies and digital platform operators to take a more active role in protecting young users. This includes the consistent enforcement of age-appropriate usage rules and the introduction of stricter obligations for social media companies to minimize design elements that may foster addictive behaviors.

Recent research conducted by a prominent health insurance provider indicates that children and adolescents are spending a significant amount of time on social networking platforms. On average, young users dedicate 150 minutes per weekday to online networks, with this figure rising to 224 minutes on weekends. Experts have raised concerns that such extensive usage could negatively impact friendships, physical activity, hobbies, and academic performance, as well as increase the risk of developing problematic patterns of social media engagement.

The ongoing debate about the effects of social media on youth well-being has prompted calls for comprehensive reforms in digital policy and platform accountability. Stakeholders across the public, private, and parental sectors are urged to collaborate in establishing effective mechanisms to protect minors from online risks and support the cultivation of balanced and healthy digital lifestyles.