The recent move by Australia to enforce a law banning social media use for those under 16 has triggered interesting debates and created a ripple effect globally. Will this be the end of social media for kids?

Yes, you read that right. No Facebook and no TikTok for your average 15-year-old. It is a move so bold, so sweeping, it is forcing parents, politicians, and even the kids themselves to ask: Is this the protective shield our youth need, or a potentially misguided leap into uncharted digital territory? It is not just about parental controls or stricter content filters; it is about saying, “Nope, not until you are old enough to vote (almost).”

Let us be honest, there is a crisis brewing because the digital landscape for kids today is a minefield. Firstly, the youth mental health crisis is not just a buzzword; it is a stark reality. Anecdotal evidence, backed by a growing body of research, points to a terrifying correlation between the rise of always-on social media and soaring rates of anxiety, depression, body image issues, and even self-harm among young people. Algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, often feed vulnerable minds a steady diet of manipulated perfection and comparison, leaving them feeling inadequate and isolated.

Secondly, social media has become the playground of bad actors such as online predators and cyberbullies despite the best efforts (or lack thereof, depending on who you ask) by platforms. Removing younger children from these spaces, proponents argue, offers a much-needed layer of protection.

Finally, the sheer addictive nature of these platforms cannot be overstated. Think about it: these apps are engineered by some of the brightest minds in the world to keep us hooked. For a developing brain, still forming its impulse control and self-regulation, resisting these dopamine-driven feedback loops is a near-impossible task. The ban, in this view, acts as a crucial "circuit breaker," giving children the space to simply be children – playing outside, reading books, and engaging in face-to-face interactions, rather than scrolling endlessly. It is about letting kids be kids, free from the relentless pressure of online performance and validation.

While the impulse to protect is noble, this is not a simple black-and-white issue. The ban comes with several concerns, not least of which is the thorny issue of privacy, which in this case is massive. How do you enforce a ban like this? It likely means age verification for everyone – adults included – requiring government IDs or even biometrics to scroll through your feed. This is not just for kids; it impacts every user, creating a massive collection of sensitive personal data that raises significant alarms.

Then there is the risk of digital isolation and the "dark web" effect. For many young people, especially those in marginalized groups (e.g., LGBTQ+, youth in rural areas, or kids with rare medical conditions), social media is not just entertainment; it's a vital lifeline for community, support, and finding like-minded individuals. Stripping this away could push them into deeper isolation or, worse, drive them to unmoderated, unregulated corners of the internet where they might be even less safe.

And what about the freedom of expression? Children have the right to access information and express themselves. For many teens, social media is where political discourse happens, where they learn about global issues, and where they organize for causes they believe in. A blanket ban could silence a generation, limiting their ability to engage with the world and develop critical thinking in a digital age.

Australia is not alone in dealing with these issues. Other countries are exploring similar age restrictions, while some are focused on making platforms safer rather than imposing outright bans. Some states in the U.S. have already tried (and faced legal challenges against) their own versions of social media bans. Will the Philippines follow the Australian model? I do not think so because that will be political suicide for the sponsors.

The world will be watching Australia closely. It is a desperate measure born of genuine concern. If this bold move proves effective in curbing the negative impact on the youth, we can expect a domino effect globally. But if it leads to unintended consequences, it could serve as a cautionary narrative.

So, who is to blame for this mess? Is it the profit-hungry tech giants or the overwhelmed parents struggling to keep up? Or the governments that allowed an entire industry to flourish unregulated for decades? Most anger is directed toward the social media techs. Governments and parents argue that tech giants intentionally built "addictive by design" algorithms to monetize children's attention, prioritizing profit over safety.

It is a challenging problem with no easy answers. But one thing is clear: the conversation around kids, tech, and their well-being has reached a fever pitch, and the status quo is no longer an option.

(The author is an executive member of the National Innovation Council, lead convener of the Alliance for Technology Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), vice president of the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines, and vice president of UP System Information Technology Foundation. Email: [email protected])