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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently declared, “Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it.”
But here’s the question: how do you “call time” on something as pervasive as social media? This isn’t a pub closing at midnight – it’s an entire ecosystem, a global network that’s embedded in nearly every aspect of modern life.
As a cybersecurity professional, online safety specialist, and mother to an 18-year-old son, I’ve spent years grappling with these questions in my work and personal life. Every day in my YouTube community, I hear from parents asking if their 10-year-old should play Minecraft, how to handle predators on Roblox, or what to do when their daughter is the only one not on Instagram. Social media isn’t just a tool – it’s a way of life, especially for young people. Banning it outright is a tall order – and frankly, a flawed solution.
The social media landscape
Social media isn’t new; it’s been evolving for decades. From early Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) in the 1970s to today’s giants like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, platforms have woven themselves into the fabric of society.
As of October 2024, 5.22 billion people worldwide – about 64 per cent of the global population – are social media users. Young people are growing up in a world where communication isn’t via phone calls or text messages but through platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. For many, social media is a lifeline to their peers.
According to Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor for ESET, this interconnectedness makes enforcing a ban exceptionally challenging.
“Kids today are incredibly tech-savvy, and restricting access often just encourages them to find ways around it, using VPNs or alternate accounts depending how the ban is implemented,” he explains.
In a world where information is freely accessible, attempting to lock young people out of social media often only heightens their interest and determination to gain access, underscoring the need for an approach beyond simple bans, that includes digital literacy education.
The reality for responsible adults
In Australia, we have around 5.7 million children, and a staggering 73 per cent of them use social platforms for mental health support. Social media, like it or not, is where kids turn for help, connection, and community. A ban could rip away this lifeline, isolating young people and cutting them off from what they view as essential daily interactions.
Taking this away from those already engaged with it regularly is also problematic. We’ll likely see an uprise in feelings of anxiety, distress, and social isolation, opening up a new set of mental health challenges for young people who already struggle with online and offline pressures. Rather than solving the issue, this could intensify it, creating more problems than it prevents.
I get it. Many parents, understandably, are calling for a ban because they’re not equipped with the knowledge and tools to keep their children safe online. It’s a jungle out there – and most parents haven’t been taught the basics of online safety, like using password managers, Two-Factor Authentication, or VPNs. If they can’t secure their own devices, how can they protect their kids? What we really need is education, not elimination.
The duty of care
Social media platforms hold a critical responsibility, yet so far, they’ve often done little more than pass the buck, making vague promises to “look into it.” They could – and should – do more to create safer environments. However, realistically, we must also recognise that even with well-intentioned restrictions, determined kids will still find ways around them – just as they do with age limits on driving,
smoking, and drinking.
“Platforms have a duty to protect vulnerable users, and it’s great news that the Government is calling out for a duty of care for social platforms, but even that, alongside current measures, may not be enough” says cyber security advisor Moore.
While he underscores the importance of enforcing safe practices, Moore also cautions against invasive measures that could compromise user privacy.
“Facial recognition and ID verification are not reliable for young users and bring up serious privacy concerns, especially when mistakes are made,” he explains.
As Moore also points out, enforcing an age-based social media ban is going to be tough.
“The tools designed to restrict underage use are often easily bypassed by young people through VPNs or fake accounts,” he notes.
If age verification becomes mandatory, platforms may be pushed toward options like ID checks or
facial recognition, which carry significant privacy risks – especially for young users who may not fully understand the implications of having their biometric data stored.
“This raises the potential for misuse and data breaches, and children are not equipped to understand or consent to the implications,” Moore adds.
The real solution: empowerment through education
The answer isn’t to throw up walls; it’s to equip our young people to navigate this world safely and responsibly. Just as we teach kids to be careful crossing the road, we must teach them digital citizenship. Starting as young as 13, kids should earn a ‘digital licence’ – a rite of passage that includes passing an online safety test with parental consent. Schools could incorporate age-appropriate digital citizenship education, ensuring that children grow up understanding the risks and responsibilities of being online.
For parents, it’s essential to model and practise cyber hygiene at home. Just as we teach road safety and stranger danger, parents can instil online awareness and confidence in their kids. And for those uncomfortable with smartphones, non-smart “dumb phones” are a practical alternative, allowing calls and SMS without exposing young kids to the full internet.
Encouraging a balanced online life
Instead of forcing a blanket ban, let’s put time limits on social media apps and foster open conversations about online experiences. We need to normalise asking kids about what they see online and empower them to report anything suspicious. Teaching kids to recognise red flags and seek help fosters a safer environment than shutting the door completely.
Social media can be harmful, yes, but it can also be a force for good. Banning it won’t create a safe online world for our kids. Empowering them to navigate it with confidence and caution will. We don’t need to call time on social media; we need to step up and provide the tools to guide the next generation safely through
it.
