Australia bans social media use for children below 16: Can this be effective?

Social media is a doubleedged sword for everyone more so for children The debate on whether or not children should be allowed to use social media has often gained prominence among parents and educators Acting on this the Australian government in a landmark decision recently announced their intention to ban the use of social media for children below the age of 16Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians and I am calling time on it The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reportersCan this ban be effectiveAccording to Mumbaibased psychologist Riddhi Doshi Patel this move can have several benefits ldquoBanning social media for children under 16 could shield them from exposure to harmful content cyberbullying and unrealistic portrayals of life that can negatively impact their selfesteem and mental healthrdquo she saysldquoAdolescents are at a crucial stage of emotional and social development limiting social media use can reduce the pressure to fit in or seek validation through likes and comments What they can and need to focus is more on reallife interactions hobbies and outdoor activities which will lead to healthier developmentrdquo she further explainsAccording to a PTI report such a ban found favour among Indian parents ldquoParents argue that social media including Instagram YouTube and X are addictive in nature and impact childrens decisionmaking selfperception and time management and also expose them to the risk of cyberbullyingrdquo it statedHowever the move also comes with potential drawbacksldquoA complete ban may feel too restrictive especially in a world where digital communication is integral to how young people connect It could lead to feelings of isolation especially if their peers are active online Additionally social media platforms can offer educational content creativity outlets and opportunities for selfexpression A blanket ban might prevent children from learning how to navigate the online world responsibly which is a critical skill in todayrsquos technologydriven societyrdquo informs PatelWhat are the alternativesWhile the move is being considered important to protect children from the harms of social media its potential drawbacks canrsquot be ignored According to Patel a balanced approach may be more effective She suggests ldquoInstead of a strict ban parents and educators can adopt a more balanced approach Setting screen time limits using parental controls or designating techfree zones in the house can help regulate usage Educating children about digital etiquette online safety and the impact of social media on mental health can empower them to make wiser decisions Encouraging and involving them in offline activities like sports reading or family time can also promote a healthier relationship with technology helping children understand moderation rather than complete avoidancerdquoHowever she stresses ldquoThe parental controls need to be stricter and smarter so that children cannot find a loopholerdquoShould India also adopt such restrictionsAs Australia takes this pioneering decision it is only natural for other countries to assess its effectiveness in their social and cultural environments Would such a ban be effective in India No entirely feels Patel She says ldquoIn India where there is a blend of traditional values and modern technology a blanket ban may not be the most effective approach Instead promoting digital literacy among both parents and children would be more beneficial Educating families about healthy social media habits setting boundaries and encouraging open conversations about the online world can create a safer environmentrdquoAlso ReadHow social media addiction has given rise to popcorn brain in young adults