SYDNEY, Australia: Australia has become the first country to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, a landmark move that has reshaped daily life for millions of families and turned the nation into a real-world testing ground for one of the most contentious debates of the digital age, according to a report by the BBC.
The decision comes amid growing concern about rising screen time among children. Studies suggest young people now spend hours each day online, much of it on social platforms used to chat, share photos and maintain friendships beyond the classroom, according to the BBC report.
Growing Anxiety over Screen Time
Critics argue this constant connection is damaging mental health, while supporters say social media can also offer community, identity and support—especially for vulnerable youth.
Australia’s new Social Media Minimum Age law affects around five million children. While some tech companies have challenged the legislation in court, many parents have welcomed it, hoping it will ease the pressures of raising children in an always-online world.
For researchers, however, the ban represents something even bigger: a rare chance to gather population-level evidence. Social media is still relatively new, and its near-universal adoption has made it difficult to isolate its true impact on wellbeing.
A Rare Opportunity for Research
Now, with access suddenly removed, scientists can compare life before and after the ban.
Experts caution that the outcomes may not be straightforward. Some researchers warn that removing social media could limit young people’s access to information, self-expression and peer support.
Others note that children may simply find ways around the restrictions, pushing their online activity further out of sight.
Unintended Consequences and Complex Realities
Mental health specialists also stress that youth wellbeing is shaped by many factors—from economic uncertainty and global crises to pandemics and rapid technological change—making it unlikely that social media alone is responsible for rising anxiety and depression.
Early expectations are modest. Researchers say dramatic improvements in mental health are unlikely in the short term. Instead, the hope is that Australia’s bold move will bring nuance to a debate often dominated by fear and extremes.
Whether the ban proves beneficial, harmful or largely symbolic, one thing is certain: Australia has launched an unprecedented social experiment, and the world is watching closely to see what it reveals about childhood, technology and life online.
