The Topline
- Australia has introduced a new ban on social media for users under the age of 16. It is the first country in the world to do so
- Many child advocates and parents are largely in support of the ban, while others argue that in practice, it will be pointless
- The ban sets a precedent that has other countries, including Canada , considering following suit with similar age restrictions on social media apps
The kids are not alright
As of December 10, 2025, Australians under 16 no longer have access to social media. This ban follows years of debate over how these platforms affect kids – beyond the brainrot and viral trends – and the verdict is overwhelming: social media is bad for youth.
Social media use in kids has been linked to self-doubt , social isolation , anxiety and bullying . It encourages constant comparison, and gives youth unhealthy and unachievable standards that are impossible to live up to. It can lead to poor body image , aggression , and poor performance in school . In fact, even Australian kids who are disappointed about the ban admit that it’s nice to have less distractions .
Besides the social and emotional toll that social media can take on developing minds, there are real physical dangers (predators, scams, sextortion , and more). And while a Canadian ban won’t prevent every single kid from using social media, some argue that the restrictions are worth it even if they aren’t 100-per-cent effective.
There are already some age-related limits that exist on the Canadian internet. For example, sites that sell alcohol or show explicit content use age gates to verify that a user is over the age of 18.
Canadians debating a youth social media ban point out that the platforms are built to be as addictive as possible. The companies that design these apps can’t be depended on to protect kids , so it’s up to the government to regulate use.
Again, a Canadian social media ban won’t stop all kids from accessing Tiktok or Instagram. But some teens drink before they’re 18 or drive before they’re 16. Just because a law is impossible to entirely enforce doesn’t mean it shouldn’t exist.
The kids are fine
A social media ban for Canadian kids may be well-intentioned, but the consequences of putting age restrictions on certain apps and websites could do more harm than good.
First, there’s the obvious argument that kids who want to use social media are going to do it regardless of the law (there’s a similar debate when it comes to the proposed online porn act ). It’s easy enough to bypass age gates or lie about your birthday, and tougher strategies like facial age estimation or the intake of banking info raise questions about privacy for all.
Once youth find a way to access “banned” sites – as they certainly will – their scrolling, posting and messaging will need to occur in secret, effectively creating a clandestine environment that encourages more risky behaviour.
It could be compared to other controversial issues like abortion and overdose prevention sites : when access is restricted, people will simply find a more dangerous or unregulated way to get what they want. A generation of youth with secret accounts could foster more bullying and trolling at best, and greater vulnerability to online predators at worst.
But for argument’s sake, let’s pretend that all Canadians 15 years and under are obedient, lawful citizens. Youth won’t need to know how to be safe online because they won’t be online. What happens when they turn 16 and suddenly have access to the beautiful, horrible world of social media?
Similar to abstinence-only schooling, banning social media could lead to uneducated youth that take unnecessary risks simply because they’ve never learned how to be responsible. Instead of removing social media access entirely, parents should be able to supervise and talk openly with their kids.
And, finally: social media isn’t all bad. When done right, finding an online community can be positive and healthy. Exposing youth to different people with different points of view can be enriching and help them to connect and grow – it just needs to be done safely, with age- appropriate education from parents and teachers.
