Social media ban in Australia for children under 16 begins 10 december

I feel passionate about protecting children, however I feel this move is largely performative and political in nature. I’ve already seen problems coming up. But the blanket ban looks good to voters.

I think its a shame that we cant teach children better.

But then i also realize children have terrible impulse control.


Its something we'll get used to.
Like drinking ages, driving ages, smoking ages.... we'll adapt.


But Itll be brutal for kids already emotionally dependent on it.
Many are going to go thru shock, withdrawal, depression, desperation and most likely pick up other addiction's to cope.

I dont think its a bad thing.
They arent excluded from the Internet - just social sites. They still have school, friends, sports or interest groups thru school.


The world is a big place. Even some adults can't immediately cope with social sites and need to learn etiquette and a thick skin.


Edit: i also think its being done ignorantly and dangerously.

What they should be doing is making these social sites more accountable for how they operate.

It's a good idea. Staring at a screen has become a worldwide addiction. I hate seeing what it does to people, especially kids. But good luck enforcing it.

They will find a way around it. Kids are innovative when it comes to evading rules. It's very hard to define social media for a blanket ban. You can target the obvious websites, X, Facebook, Instagram, etc. There are plenty of alternative ways for young people to congregate online.

I’ve always wondered what are 16-17 year olds supposed to do when they’re too old to be children but too young to be adults. They’re an outcast and not welcomed in by anyone.

From what I read they are not banning some of the major online gaming platforms from kids using them? Those can be just as big a breeding ground for predators as social media.

It is a seatbelt moment in history, a very important first step towards getting social media to take a modicum of social responsibility. Doing nothing is not an option. The impact on children is potentially good. How good depends on parents' behaviour.

When I heard the video of a teen girl pounding the table in the Australian legislature, I knew she was addicted and would get violent. In Holland these symptoms mean we should allow this teen to get castrated immediately and then cross dress with hrt. In Australia, shouldn't she be traated?
A total ban would be good.

If social media websites aren’t going to be forced by law to constantly monitor and sensor their websites against child exploitation and abuse then I’m all for it.

I can't imagine it'll be effective at all; I suspect it'll make things much worse on the front that people are claiming they're trying to do - protect kids. they'll just keep doing it and be far more secretive about it.

I have friends with children and grandchildren under 16. Most of them think the same as me. It's a government control thing.

I think it will be good for them.

They'll learn how to bypass a computer block - some may start a hacking career because of it.

Parents should not let kids on social media. It is a cess pool. How many kids have committed suicide because of it?

It is a good idea, but how will they enforce it?

impossible to enforce, an older kid will just give them thier code,

And how do they plan to enforce this?

About time, too many studies have shown that social media usage among younger generations, millennial and younger has exacerbated depression to the point of epidemic proportions, we can see it here in SW quite evidently.