Should those under 16 be banned from social media?

- Web links, documents and video clips

On January 7, 2025, the University of Queensland published a comment titled 'Banning social media won't fix Australia's youth mental health crisis' by Child Health Research Centre PhD Candidate Julie Blake and Professor James Scott. The opinion piece suggests that the measure is a simplistic solution and that there are better alternatives available.
The full text can be accessed at

On December 7, 2024, The Australian published a comment by freelance writer Virginia Tapscott titled 'Smartphone, stupid social media: why I'm for the ban'. The writer uses her limited experience of social media as an adolescent to suggest some of the dangers she believes make the ban desirable.
The full text can be accessed at

On December 3, 2024, The Guardian published an article titled 'Protecting or restricting? The effect of social media bans on the big dreams of young Australians'. The article presents the views of several teenage Australians who have used social media to help establish themselves in areas they are passionate about. All argue that the impending ban would have prevented them achieving what they have.
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On December 1, 2024, educator Richard Rogers posted a comment on his education blog Richard Rogers: Decrypt. Define. Delineate. The opinion piece is titled 'Australia's Social Media Ban for Under-16s: A Bold Step with Educational Benefits'. The comment outlines several the advantages for young people of being removed from social media.
The full text can be accessed at

On November 29, 2014, Griffith University published a comment by Professor Jennifer Alford titled 'Why banning social media for under 16s is not a good idea'. The article list seven alternatives (other than a ban) which could reduce the negative impact of social media on young people.
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On November 28, 2024, The Conversation published a comment by Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform at RMIT University. The piece is titled 'Australia's social media ban for kids under 16 just became law. How it will work remains a mystery'. The opinion piece examines several of the implementation issues that the social media ban will face.
The full text can be accessed at

On November 26, 2024, Crikey published a list of links to six groups supporting a ban on those under 16 accessing social media and seven groups opposed to such a ban.
The annotated list is headed 'Advocates argue children need time to develop before venturing out on social media, while detractors say the bill has been rushed and that freedom of expression is at risk.'
The full text can be accessed at

On November 6, 2024, The West Australian published a comment from Lorraine Finlay, Australia's Human Rights Commissioner and Anne Hollonds, the National Children's Commissioner. The opinion piece is titled 'Lorraine Finlay & Anne Hollonds: Social media ban will not keep kids safe'. The author's condemn the lack of effective consultation before the law was passed, question its likely effectiveness and suggest it ignores some important children's rights.
The full text can be accessed at

On November 25, 2024, The Australian published a comment by Toby Walsh, Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of New South Wales. The opinion piece is title 'How young people can still access benefits of social media if banned from adult zones'. Walsh argues that the ban could prompt the social media platforms to produce child-appropriate material for kid access.
The full text can be accessed at

On November 21,2024, the Australian Human Rights Commission issued a statement outlining arguments for and against a social media ban for those under 16. The Commission concluded by stating its reservations about the measure.
The full text can be accessed at

On November 21, 2024, The Guardian published an opinion piece by columnist Van Badham titled 'A social media ban for everyone is in the national interest - not just kids under 16'. The comment argues that social media is ultimately a damaging experience for all Australians, not only children and young adolescents.
The full text can be accessed at

On November 18, 2024, Save the Children Australia, the Australian branch of a welfare organisation assisting children worldwide published a comment titled '"A band-aid on a gunshot wound": children and young people say social media ban for under 16s won't stop online harm' The opinion piece, which represents the position of the Australian organisation opposes the ban considering inappropriate and likely to cause harm.
The full text can be accessed at

On November 14, 2024, The Educator published an article presenting the views of Dr Alexia Maddox, Director of Digital Education and Senior Lecturer in Pedagogy and Education Futures in La Trobe University's School of Education. The piece is titled 'Social media ban may impact vulnerable youth - expert'. Dr Maddox argues that for many vulnerable young people social media provides valuable support networks.
The full text can be accessed at

On November 12, 2024, StartUp Daily published a comment titled 'Looking at both sides of the Australian government's plan to ban under-16s from social media, it's more complicated than I first thought as a parent' by Ben Liebmann, the Founder of Understory - Business of Culture: Media and Entertainment, Brands, Restaurants and Hospitality.
The opinion piece examines ten arguments commonly made against the ban and presents a counter argument for each.
The full text can be accessed at

On November 8, 2024, The Independent published an analysis titled 'How might a social media ban benefit under-16s - and are there any drawbacks?' The article looks at the views of a variety of experts some supporting and others opposing a ban.
The full text can be accessed at

On October 9, 2024, 146 academics and organizations associated with the Australian Child Rights Taskforce signed an open letter to the Prim Minister, Anthony Albanese, I which they expressed their reservations about the impact of a ban on those under 16 accessing social media.
The full text can be accessed at

On October 4, 2024, The Australian Academy of the Humanities published an opinion piece by Professor Axel Bruns and Dr Aleesha Rodriguez titled 'An age ban on social media is unworkable - what are the alternatives?' The article explains some of the impracticalities of the ban and suggests other ways to improve young people's online experience.
The full text can be accessed at

On October 1, 2024, The Westsider published a comment by Marty McGauran, a cyberbullying educator. The opinion piece is titled 'A social media ban for kids; A band-aid solution or a necessary step?'
The article supports the ban as a beginning step but argues that it must be followed by education for both parents and their children.
The full text can be accessed at

On September 18, 2024, The Guardian published a comment by Chanel Contos titled 'Until social media giants take responsibility for the harm they cause, I support Australia's age ban'. Contos is the founder of Teach Us Consent and the author of Consent Laid Bare. The opinion piece argues that the harm caused by social media makes a ban necessary.
The full text can be accessed at

On September 10, 2024, Scimex published the opinions of twenty Australian academics on the government's proposal to ban those under 16 from accessing social media. Scimex (the Science Media Exchange) is an online news portal aimed primarily at helping journalists cover science. The opinions are headed 'EXPERT REACTION: Australian government to impose social media ban for kids'. The twenty academics represent a range of views.
The full text can be accessed at