Increased mental health and body image issues in young Australians have led to a push to make social media accessible with parental permission only.

Under new draft legislation, under 16s will need parental approval to set up an account, and platforms will be held responsible for showing underage users harmful material.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health David Coleman told Deborah Knight tech companies, who have “shown a complete disregard for the wellbeing of Australian kids”, would be forced to take the new laws seriously given the “many millions” they’d face in fines.

“Social media companies will have a duty, when using kids’ data, to act in their best interests.

“If a … company was using its algorithm to promote content about extreme dieting or eating disorders or self-harm, or a whole range of other things … that would be unlawful.

“It would attract very significant penalties of up to 10 per cent of the social media company’s total Australian revenue.”

Press PLAY below to hear how the new laws would be enforced

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