What happens when you kick millions of teens off social media?

10 days ago

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Australia is implementing a ban on social media for children under 16 starting December 10, affecting platforms like Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
The ban aims to protect children from harmful content, with fines up to AU$49.5 million for non-compliant platforms.
Meta will deactivate under-16 accounts from December 4, while Snap allows deactivation for up to three years or until users turn 16.
Teens are exploring workarounds like VPNs and age verification bypasses, but experts warn these may negatively impact user experience.
Content creators like Shar and Zoey are protesting the ban, citing loss of followers and creative outlets, while some teens like Maxine Steel find benefits in logging off.
Other countries, including the UK and EU nations, are considering similar bans, with Malaysia recently joining the list.
Parents and educators are divided, with some forming clubs to resist smartphone use, while others worry about unregulated gaming sites like Roblox and Discord.
Legal challenges, such as the Digital Freedom Project's High Court case, argue the ban infringes on constitutional rights to political speech.

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