Australia’s proposed ban on social media use for children under 16 has sparked significant debate, particularly regarding the practicality of enforcing such an age restriction. Oxford University’s Andrew Przybylski expressed skepticism, stating that clear enforcement strategies remain elusive and the technology for age verification is inherently unreliable. He highlighted previous attempts in other nations, such as South Korea, which found no effective results over a decade-long prohibition.
Behavioural science expert David Ellis deemed Australia’s approach “doomed to fail,” citing a lack of clarity around what constitutes social media, as well as the likelihood of youths bypassing restrictions using VPNs. Further complicating the issue are concerns about potential social media companies exiting the Australian market due to hefty fines for non-compliance, thus limiting young people’s access to online information where many source their news.
The initiative has attracted mixed reactions from young people, with some supporting the ban for protecting their peers, while others argue it undermines their rights and restricts essential digital interaction. Critics view the policy as performative, dubbing it “wellbeing theatre”. As it stands, the ban is set to take effect in late 2024, raising questions about implementation and its broader implications for youth engagement in the digital age.