Australia’s plans to ban under-16s from using social media platforms fail to address critical online risks, says marketing expert

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia has announced plans to ban all children under the age of 16 from using social media.

Legislation will be tabled in parliament next week, with the aim of increasing safety of minors online as well as preventing the accessibility of harmful content and tech algorithms.

Dr Yusuf Oç, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Bayes Business School, believes a ban will not be enough to stem the issues it aims to address.

“Research consistently links social media use in adolescents with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem,” he said.

“However, an outright ban on social media for those under 16 faces both practical and strategic challenges, as age restrictions are easily bypassed, creating an ‘illusion of protection’ without fostering critical skills in navigating online risks.

Rather than prohibitive laws, which many feel generally backfire through rebellion in any case, Dr Oç called for better education for children and teenagers into assessing the dangers of content, and proficient moderation within channels.

“Instead of imposing an age ban, promoting media literacy has been shown to effectively equip young people to critically assess online content and manage its emotional impacts.

“This stance is particularly relevant given research that shows young people increasingly rely on social media for socialisation, information, and entertainment – making it a primary channel for communication and social learning.

“Collaborative solutions with social media companies, such as developing safe, age-appropriate platforms like YouTube Kids, where educational content is available without targeted ads, offer more sustainable alternatives to outright prohibition.

“Aligning with the UN’s guidance on providing safe access over strict exclusion, these moderated spaces support children’s positive engagement with digital environments. Rigorous content moderation, enhanced parental controls, and safety standards could better protect young users while recognising social media’s educational and social value, allowing them to benefit from digital resources without exposure to harmful content.”

All quotes can be attributed to Dr Yusuf Oç, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Bayes Business School.