Protect Australian children from premature smartphone exposure
The issue
In recent years, there has been a disturbing trend in family court decisions mandating that children under the age of 16 must have access to smartphones, often without infallible safeguards or the unanimous consent of their legal guardians. This issue has profound implications for the mental and emotional well-being of our children. Despite repeated attempts to engage the Australian government on this matter, our concerns remain unanswered, leaving us with no choice but to take collective action.
Smartphones, while useful in many aspects of modern life, come with significant risks, especially for young children whose brains and emotional resilience are still developing. According to a study by the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, nearly two-thirds of Australian parents reported that screen time negatively impacts their children's physical activity levels and sleep, contributing to issues like obesity, anxiety, and depression. The situation is dire, as the potential for cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and addiction to social media looms large when children are prematurely provided with unrestricted smartphone access.
We are calling upon Communications Minister Anika Wells MP, Attorney General Michelle Rowland MP, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take immediate action to halt court orders that compel children under 16 to use smartphones unless ironclad protections are in place or all legal guardians give their written consent. Furthermore, we demand that the government establish a compensation scheme for children who have been forced into smartphone use by civil courts. The compensation should cover mental health treatment and any lifetime damages arising from such exposure.
You can court order a mobile phone, it does not have to be a smart phone.
Parents maintain control.
We must act now to protect the mental health and future of the next generation. By revisiting these court orders and ensuring that young Australians are protected from premature smartphone exposure, we can safeguard their development and well-being.
Sign this petition to stand with us in advocating for responsible and safe policies that put the interests of our children first. Together, we can persuade our leaders to make the necessary changes that will shield young Australians from preventable harm.
12
The issue
In recent years, there has been a disturbing trend in family court decisions mandating that children under the age of 16 must have access to smartphones, often without infallible safeguards or the unanimous consent of their legal guardians. This issue has profound implications for the mental and emotional well-being of our children. Despite repeated attempts to engage the Australian government on this matter, our concerns remain unanswered, leaving us with no choice but to take collective action.
Smartphones, while useful in many aspects of modern life, come with significant risks, especially for young children whose brains and emotional resilience are still developing. According to a study by the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, nearly two-thirds of Australian parents reported that screen time negatively impacts their children's physical activity levels and sleep, contributing to issues like obesity, anxiety, and depression. The situation is dire, as the potential for cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and addiction to social media looms large when children are prematurely provided with unrestricted smartphone access.
We are calling upon Communications Minister Anika Wells MP, Attorney General Michelle Rowland MP, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take immediate action to halt court orders that compel children under 16 to use smartphones unless ironclad protections are in place or all legal guardians give their written consent. Furthermore, we demand that the government establish a compensation scheme for children who have been forced into smartphone use by civil courts. The compensation should cover mental health treatment and any lifetime damages arising from such exposure.
You can court order a mobile phone, it does not have to be a smart phone.
Parents maintain control.
We must act now to protect the mental health and future of the next generation. By revisiting these court orders and ensuring that young Australians are protected from premature smartphone exposure, we can safeguard their development and well-being.
Sign this petition to stand with us in advocating for responsible and safe policies that put the interests of our children first. Together, we can persuade our leaders to make the necessary changes that will shield young Australians from preventable harm.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 19 August 2026