Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026

The Commission's submission to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee.

Technology and data Submission by the Commission

Submission summary

Submitted date: 24 July 2026
Subject: Technology and data

The Commission's submission to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee.

Download the submission

The Australian Human Rights Commission supports safer online spaces for children but is concerned about the rushed development of this Bill and its potential human rights impacts. It recommends an independent review after one year to assess how the social media minimum age laws are affecting children and whether there are unintended consequences. The Commission also calls for stronger consultation on future digital reforms and greater justification for the Bill’s expanded information-gathering powers.