After months of consideration, the long-dreaded ban has finally been approved by the Australian House of Representatives. Starting in 2025, children under the age of 16 will no longer be allowed to use social media. With the rest of the world watching closely, this decision is beginning to spark an uproar among teenagers, who are in fear of this ban being placed in the United States. Although this is causing an uproar, it is unreasonable to implement a similar ban without any observation of the effects in Australia.
“Nowadays, with all the dangerous things happening on the internet, most of them being inappropriate for young children, I believe Australia is making a smart decision by banning social media access for kids under 16 since this age is when most people begin to mature… Kids should not have to face these challenges at such a young age, and I honestly think the United States could take inspiration from this ban,” sophomore Amelie Delvat said.
The Australian government has concluded that in order to prevent the deterioration of mental health among Australian youth, it would be best if children under the age of 16 were restricted from accessing social media such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, X and Reddit. Its harsh punishments like fines up to $33,000,000 has sparked controversy. Global opinions sparked argue that prohibiting social media suppresses an outlet for self-expression.
“I wonder how young Australians will adjust to the shift from heavily relying on social media to being completely cut off from it. My younger cousin and I often record TikTok and Instagram videos together, and if the United States were to implement a similar restriction, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy these activities until I turn 16. The idea of not being able to do fun things like this with my cousin because of the government overreacting seems unreasonable,” sophomore Sophia Artunduaga said.
Negative opinions regarding this ban have traveled across the seas, reaching people throughout the country. The implications on the U.S. have shown to worry many. With the presidential election recently ending, a new leader could mean a new set of laws implemented, impacting many students’ daily lives.
“I think the ban is very efficient and well organized, because I don’t find a reason for younger kids, or those under 16, to have social media. I believe the education system does a very good job of teaching students about the different cultures and histories around the world,” sophomore Alexandra Costa said.
The recent ban is raising numerous questions within the U.S. concerning whether or not it is beneficial to the American youth. Since the ban has not yet been enforced, it is difficult to determine its effects on Australian citizens. The results of this ban could inspire leaders worldwide, influencing the day-to-day lives of people even those who live thousands of miles away. For now, Cavaliers can only wait to see the impact this ban will have on our future and society.
“I think that it should the ban’s age should be lowered to 14, around high school age, because, for example, the publications and clubs at Gables, are very social media reliant. If we didn’t have those resources, it wouldn’t be as easy to get the messages and all the information we need to receive. It’s a lot of information, and having it on social media where everybody can see it is a really good resource for everybody, especially because it’s updated constantly, although I do think it’s good in the way that young kids don’t need to be on social media,” freshman Alejandra Perez said.
