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The European Union is implementing legislation similar to Australia's groundbreaking social media ban for children under 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Friday, as the government prepares to showcase the policy at the United Nations later this month.
Speaking on Cairns radio station 4CA, Albanese said international adoption of Australia's approach validates the government's decision to lead global efforts protecting children from online harm.
"This is Australia leading the world," Albanese said. "The fact that the world is looking at our legislation - which will come into force, of course, in December - just taking a common sense view, saying we want our kids on the netball courts, on the footy fields, on, you know, at the beach, off their devices and engaging with each other as well, face to face."
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The prime minister will host a significant event at the United Nations in New York within the next two weeks to promote Australia's model internationally, he confirmed during the breakfast radio interview.
Australia's legislation, passed last year with bipartisan support, becomes operational in December following a 12-month implementation period designed to finalize technical details with social media platforms.
"The European Union stepping up is fantastic news," Albanese said. "I think it is very good news that the world is following Australia, and we should be proud as Australians."
The social media ban aims to protect young people during critical developmental years from online harassment and mental health impacts. Albanese referenced conversations with parents who have lost children, though he did not provide specific details during the interview.
"We know that some of the hate and some of the trolling that can occur to young people, very young people online, is having an effect on their mental health," he said.
The prime minister suggested that multiple countries joining the initiative would provide leverage in negotiations with major technology companies to implement effective age verification systems.
Immigration Numbers Fall 36 Percent
During the wide-ranging interview, Albanese also announced that net migration to Australia has dropped 36 percent over the past year, with current arrival numbers now below levels recorded under the previous Coalition government.
"We want to work hard to get the balance right, have the skills that we need in industries like agriculture, aged care and others as well, as well as making sure that we support regional communities with temporary workers when they need them," Albanese said.
The prime minister defended Australia's non-discriminatory immigration policy amid what he described as increasingly politicized debate around migration levels.
"We welcome people from all over the world in appropriate numbers," he said. "They importantly, provide a skilled workforce in areas where it's needed."
Albanese highlighted the continued importance of skilled migration for sectors including construction, hospitality and healthcare, particularly as the government pushes to increase housing supply.
Pacific Labour Scheme Expansion
The prime minister also outlined recent progress on the Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme during his visits to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, describing the program as beneficial for both Australia and Pacific nations.
"It's important for the Pacific because they provide money back to their countries, to their families back home," Albanese said. "But it's also important for Australia, particularly for our agriculture sector."
The scheme has expanded beyond agricultural work to include aged care and childcare positions, with workers also contributing to local communities during natural disasters, according to Albanese.
"When there's a natural disaster as well, they pitch in and they help their local community as part of the culture of looking after each other," he said.
Political Violence Concerns
Albanese also addressed concerns about political polarization and violence, expressing condolences to the family of Charlie Kirk following what appeared to be a recent violent incident, though specific details were not provided in the interview.
"Look, there is no place for political violence, and our thoughts are certainly with Charlie Kirk's loved ones at this time," Albanese said.
The prime minister contrasted recent international political violence with Australia's democratic traditions, citing the respectful transition between outgoing Cairns MP Warren Entsch and new member Matt Smith as an example of appropriate political conduct.
"Political issues should be dealt with in the way that we dealt with them on May 3 - having a respectful debate, people casting their vote through the democratic means and respectful transition of power in particular seats," he said.
Albanese attributed rising global political polarization partly to social media's tendency to push users toward extreme viewpoints, contrasting this with Australia's compulsory and preferential voting systems that encourage mainstream political engagement.
"I think the impact of social media is playing a role there. It pushes people towards extremes, whether at the left or the right, and that's not a good thing here in Australia," he said.
International Leadership Recognition
The prime minister's appearance in Cairns came as international recognition grows for Australia's pioneering approach to online safety regulation. Radio host Murray Jones noted that an Irish citizen had recently praised Australia's leadership on the social media ban.
Australia's model requires social media platforms to prevent children under 16 from accessing their services, with the government working with companies during the implementation phase to develop effective verification systems.
The legislation represents one of the world's most comprehensive approaches to protecting children online, with other jurisdictions now examining similar measures.
"I think our electoral system plays a role. The fact we have compulsory voting, the fact we have preferential voting as well, pushes people towards more mainstream views and mainstream politics, rather than being at the edges and trying to make people angry and respond emotionally," Albanese said.
The upcoming United Nations event will provide a global platform for Australia to encourage broader international adoption of child online safety measures, potentially creating a coordinated international response to regulate social media platforms.
As Australia prepares to implement its groundbreaking legislation in December, the government's diplomatic efforts appear focused on building international momentum that could pressure major technology companies to develop robust age verification systems across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
The prime minister concluded the interview by emphasizing Australia's unique position in global politics, suggesting the country's democratic institutions and geographic isolation provide advantages in maintaining political stability.
"When you look at the world, that there's no place you'd rather be than here in Australia," he said.
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