How might a social media ban benefit under-16s – and are there any drawbacks?

A ban could have a positive impact on children’s mental health

Young people are vulnerable online and at risk of being groomed.

Australia’s states and territories have unanimously pledged their support to a national plan that aims to stop children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms such as X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

The legislation will be introduced into parliament within two weeks, and the age ban would take effect a year after it passes into law, giving platforms time to work out how to exclude children.