As a dad to a 15-month-old who’s already mesmerised by my phone screen, I can tell you one thing: kids and the internet aren’t going anywhere but up. They’re growing up online, and as someone who’s been knee-deep in social media projects for Google Australia and some of the biggest Super funds, I get it—social media can be a messy place. But the Australian government’s proposed ban on social media for kids under 16? That’s just throwing a big ol' blanket over a very complex social issue.
I mean, sure, social media has some serious issues. It can mess with young minds, promote unrealistic standards, and sometimes feel like a giant comparison contest. But banning it? That’s like taking the ball away from the playground because a few kids fell off the swings. It doesn’t teach kids how to handle social media; it just hides it away.
Kids Will Always Find a Way (Ask Any Millennial)
This whole ban idea feels like something dreamed up by folks who didn’t grow up with the internet, and I get it. It’s easier to say “no social media” than to dive into the messy world of guiding kids through it. But here’s the thing: if kids want to be online, they’ll find a way. Today’s teens are already hanging out on Twitch and Discord, not the platforms their parents know that well.
A ban might cover TikTok today, but the social media landscape is always shifting, and kids are always one step ahead. Tomorrow, they’ll be on a new app we haven’t even heard of yet. Trying to keep up with that by banning platforms? Good luck.
Social Media Is Changing (And Fast)
Let’s talk about where social media’s headed, because it’s not slowing down. With AI in the mix, we’re looking at a future of personalized, immersive digital spaces where today’s TikTok and Instagram will feel quaint. Kids will be interacting with AI-powered “digital friends” and hanging out in VR spaces. The idea that a simple ban can cover what’s coming next? Not a chance.
Banning Isn’t Teaching—Modeling the Way Is
Here’s what I’ve learned as a millennial dad: kids copy what we do. They see us scrolling through Instagram or Snapchatting at the dinner table, and they take notes. Banning social media doesn’t teach them anything about how to navigate it responsibly; it just kicks the can down the road. If we really want to help them, we need to show them how to handle this digital world.
That’s why, instead of banning hate speech, my team at Google Australia worked with Aussie YouTube influencers to create positive counter-narratives in the “Share Some Good” campaign. We showed young people that social media doesn’t have to be toxic. Instead of blocking everything, we need to equip them with the tools to make smart choices.
Let’s Make This Policy Future-Ready
Here’s the truth: social media’s issues aren’t “internet problems”—they’re reflections of issues that exist everywhere. A ban doesn’t fix self-esteem problems or peer pressure; it just attempts hides them. Instead of restricting access, why not create policies that help kids understand the online world and use it positively?
This proposed ban is an easy fix that avoids the tougher work of building trust, having open conversations, and setting a good example. Let’s accept that the digital world isn’t going away and give kids the skills they need to handle it like pros—because in the end, they’ll be way better off if we prepare them for it rather than pretending it doesn’t exist.
