Australia’s proposed ban on social media for kids under 16 is stirring up a global conversation—and U.S. parents are feeling it, too. In what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls a “world-first national approach,” this law would make platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) responsible for verifying user ages and blocking those younger than 16 from signing on.
Albanese’s message is direct: “Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians,” he shared, underscoring the need to prioritize “the safety and mental health of our young people.”
As this policy moves through the Australian Parliament, U.S. parents are taking note. In a country where kids’ social media use is skyrocketing, many are wondering: could a law like this be part of the answer to protecting our kids?
How Australia’s move hits home for U.S. families
While Australia may be leading the charge, these issues hit close to home. In the U.S., 95% of teens report having access to a smartphone, and nearly half say they’re “almost constantly” online, according to Pew Research Center.
Between 2009 and 2019, rates of anxiety and depression among U.S. teens jumped by 40%, and the CDC points to social media as a key factor.
This near-constant connection has correlated with troubling trends: a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s report identifies social media as a factor in rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among U.S. teens.
Adolescents today face pressures no previous generation has encountered—from continuous peer comparison to exposure to cyberbullying and harmful content.
With 24/7 access to peer comparisons, “likes,” and endless scrolling, U.S. kids are living with the pressures of social media in ways no previous generation has faced.
For U.S. parents, Australia’s approach is a chance to reflect on our own role in setting boundaries. Are we creating a healthy, balanced digital space for our kids?
Do we have open conversations about social media’s impact on their mental health and self-esteem? Australia’s policy might be the first of its kind, but the questions it raises are ones we’re all grappling with here, too.
Protecting mental health and social well-being
Australia sees this age limit as a safety net, similar to laws around alcohol—meant to protect young people from potential harm.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, social media use among youth can amplify risks related to sleep disruptions, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem issues, and exposure to dangerous behaviors.
Would something like this work in the U.S.? For many parents, it’s a mixed bag. A national age limit might make it easier to say no, taking some of the pressure off parents trying to set boundaries in a world where “everyone else has it.”
But it also raises questions: should the government make these decisions, or should families be in charge of when and how their kids go online?
The challenge of making it work
While the intention is clear, enforcing this ban is more complicated. Kids today are tech-savvy, and critics argue that enforcing a strict age ban could be a logistical nightmare. Kids might find ways to fake their ages or use alternate accounts, making it tough to fully prevent younger teens from logging in.
Without strong enforcement mechanisms, age restrictions could drive social media use underground, adding secrecy to the mix and making it even harder to monitor.
Susanne Schweizer, Associate Professor at the University of NSW, echoes these concerns. She warns that the ban “could be the silver bullet or backfire terribly.” A one-size-fits-all approach lacks nuance, she says, and “taking away the thing as a whole is not going to be the most effective means of keeping kids safe.”
For some families, social media boundaries feel deeply personal—something they want control over, rather than leaving it up to the government. For kids who rely on social media for support or who struggle socially in other settings, online communities can be essential.
Critics of the ban worry that a one-size-fits-all rule could isolate kids who depend on these spaces, missing the unique social needs of each child.
Balancing connection and caution
Australia’s policy brings up a crucial consideration: saying “no” to social media isn’t just about keeping kids offline—it’s about keeping them safe.
Social media can offer valuable connection, enabling teens to interact with friends, share interests, and stay informed. A blanket policy might not account for the diverse ways kids benefit from these interactions, and for some, cutting off access could feel isolating.
The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory notes that social media has both positive and negative impacts. Many teens report that social media helps them feel connected, with 67% saying it provides a place to show their creative side.
The advisory, however, also cautions that problematic social media use can overstimulate the reward centers in the brain, creating a pattern of habitual engagement that can lead to addiction-like behaviors.
A focus on digital literacy
Rather than enforcing a strict ban, many experts advocate for teaching digital literacy and developing healthier social media habits. If kids understand the impact of social media on their mental health, they’re better equipped to make thoughtful decisions.
Parents play a huge role here by modeling healthy screen habits and having honest, ongoing conversations about social media use.
Studies suggest that involved parents can help lower the risk of negative impacts, creating a safe, supportive environment where kids can explore social media responsibly.
Setting up a family media plan, creating tech-free zones, and teaching kids how to navigate online spaces responsibly are all steps that support healthier social media use. By fostering digital resilience, parents can help kids develop a balanced approach to their digital lives.
What this means for U.S. parents
Australia’s proposed age limit raises valuable questions for parents worldwide: how can we guide our kids through a digital world safely? How can we create online spaces that protect their mental health without cutting them off from valuable connections?
This policy reminds us that setting healthy boundaries matters—and that we don’t need a government rule to start these conversations at home.
So, as Australia’s legislation develops, let’s use it as a reminder to check in with our own kids. Are we creating a space where they feel safe discussing how social media makes them feel? Are we helping them see that they don’t need “likes” to feel valued?
With proactive steps like establishing media plans, fostering tech-free zones, and modeling responsible use, we can guide our kids toward a more balanced relationship with social media—one conversation, one boundary, and one moment of connection at a time.
Sources:
- Australian states back plan to ban kids under 16 from social media. 2024. AP News. Australian states back national plan to ban children younger than 16 from social media.
- Teens, Social Media and Technology. 2022. Pew Research Center. Teens, Social Media and Technology 2022.
- Surgeon General issues advisory on the effects of social media on youth mental health. 2023. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Surgeon General Issues New Advisory About Effects Social Media Use Has on Youth Mental Health.
- Expert warning on Albanese’s social media ban. 2024. 7 News. Experts warn Albanese’s social media ban is not the salve for cyber safety, as grieving parents push for the change.
- Keeping teens safe on social media. 2023. American Psychological Association. Keeping teens safe on social media: What parents should know to protect their kids.
