Lisa Darmanin (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Senator McAllister. The parents I'm hearing from are all too aware of the rising costs of social media on the mental health and, oftentimes, the physical health of our young people. What harms are young people facing online, and how will the Albanese Labor government's online safety social media bill help to better protect them from these harms?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator, I am not surprised that you are hearing concerns from parents, because more than half of Australian parents and carers say that social media is their No. 1 issue of concern.

I know that there are some members of the opposition who go out of their way to avoid listening to experts—not all, but some—and I would encourage them just to make an exception and listen to the research on this. A recent Australian study found that Australian girls who use social media for more than two hours a day were particularly at risk of depression and reduced wellbeing. It replicates what we are seeing overseas. A pre-COVID study in England found that using social media more than three times a day was a strong predictor for poor mental health and wellbeing in 13- to 16-year-olds. A longitudinal study of more than 6,000 young Americans found that using social media for more than three hours a day doubled the risk—doubled the risk, for those not listening—of 12- to 15-year-olds experiencing negative mental health outcomes, like symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Parents know that social media can be a tool for connection, and nobody wants to disrupt that, but it does also pose risks. It poses risks and threats particularly for young people. Unlike the Greens and unlike quite a few, it seems, on the opposition benches, this government thinks that it's time to face up to that challenge.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Darmanin, first supplementary question?

Lisa Darmanin (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In June, Mr Dutton committed a Liberal and National government to introducing an age limit, telling News Corp that the time for relying on social media companies to enforce age limits was over. Mr Dutton said, 'They don't do it, they never have, and we have no faith in them to do so in the future.' Today we have seen members of the Liberals and Nationals break ranks and argue publicly that the passage of this crucial bill should be delayed. Why is it important for the parents and young people of Australia that this bill be supported by the parliament? (Time expired)

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said, I do understand that there are some members of the opposition who don't care what experts have to say. But they could listen, they might want to listen, to the Leader of the Opposition himself. Just two weeks ago, Mr Dutton wrote on a Facebook post:

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat are having a serious impact on children's development, mental health, and behaviour. Many parents are setting limits, but it's clear more needs to be done.

Mr Dutton goes on to say this in comments to the Courier-Mail:

They're putting profit ahead of people and I think that has to be addressed … I don't know any parents who would have a different view. These companies have zero regard for consumers, they're the tobacco companies of the 1970s and 1980s.

They're strong words, aren't they? They're strong words but they are apparently not enough for the coalition backbench.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Darmanin, second supplementary?

Lisa Darmanin (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Fairfax papers reported this morning that doubts about the social media bill have expanded from Senators Canavan and Antic to more mainstream coalition MPs, setting up the meeting as a test of the opposition leader's authority. Why is it so important that this bill be supported, and why is it that only Labor can be trusted to deliver stable government in the best interests of Australian families?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator, curiously enough, the social media ban is actually just one of a handful of policies that the Leader of the Opposition has actually announced. He doesn't have very many, but this is one of them, and it would be surprising if he backed away from it. Just two weeks ago, he wrote on Facebook:

This legislation must be passed by Christmas to give parents the support they need.

But you are quite right, Senator Darmanin. It is being reported that the coalition party room is seeking to test his authority on this. The concern, of course, is that this wouldn't be the first time that Mr Dutton has backflipped on a commitment he made. Right now, as we speak, he is blocking a bill to curb student visa numbers. Australians could be forgiven for asking the question: if he's reckless enough to play politics on immigration, what else is it that he will not play politics with?