Asia Tech Wire (Sep 10) -- The Australian government will legislate a minimum age for the use of social media and other related digital platforms this year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said in a statement Tuesday.

"We are taking decisive action to identify and implement these very solutions to help ensure young people can use the internet in a safe and positive way that supports their learning and their lives," Rowland said in the statement.

She added, "We are also holding big tech to account because platforms and online services have a key responsibility for the safety of their users."

Albanese said the center-left government he leads will begin age verification trials in the coming months.

While Albanese did not specify an age limit for the use of the platforms, he said he was "looking at the range between 14 and 16."