KUALA LUMPUR – It’s time for other countries to follow the initiatives taken by the Australian government to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, say Australian citizens.
The Australian citizens’ responses came after the government passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 on November 28, amending the Online Safety Act 2021 and setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.
The law requires tech giants, from the likes of Instagram owner Meta to TikTok, to prevent minors from logging in, or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (RM143.2 million). A trial to enforce the law will begin in January, with the ban set to take effect in a year.
Several countries have already pledged to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia’s policy is the most stringent.
Speaking to Scoop, Abigail Gomez, who resides in Melbourne, said the latest social media regulation imposed by the government would help reduce the number of suicide cases among teenagers that have been plaguing the country.
For the record, in the past five years, 128 children have died by suicide, with the rate increasing by 1.9% each year, according to an annual report by the Queensland Family and Child Commission.
“I have been living in Australia for 11 years. I have one son, and he’s 12 years old. I totally support the regulation set by the Australian government and have always been against teenagers and kids having social media.
“The impact of these social media regulations will be positive, considering the high number of cyberbullying and suicide cases, especially on Instagram and TikTok. People tend to create facades of their lives, and the amount of photoshopping and misuse of privacy is high in Australia,” said Gomez, a senior banking executive.
“These are some of the reasons I believe this regulation should take place. There are also cases of kids and teenagers becoming insecure about their lives based on what they see on social media.
“The number of suicide cases among teenagers has been rising, especially since Covid and during the lockdown, and trolling culture is getting out of hand, causing their mental health to deteriorate,” she added.
“I wouldn’t say that the government’s initiative is going to limit kids’ or teenagers’ freedom. We all grew up in an age without social media, and kids need to go back to reading newspapers, going to the library, and getting information from reliable sources. I use social media, and I don’t find anything educational, to be honest.
“I definitely think that other countries should start following what the Australian government is doing, including Malaysia. Kids these days are different from millennials or Gen X; they are softer and more sensitive. Most countries should have this ban, as kids nowadays are not mature enough. I’m happy that my son will grow up in a safer digital economy,” said Abigail.
Thayalani Nagendran, an IT consultant in Sydney, said that the Australian government’s ban serves as a good lesson to Big Tech not to dictate the well-being of children in the country.
“As a parent, I can’t sit back and watch as social media continues to negatively impact my kids. I’ve seen firsthand how platforms designed for entertainment end up trapping children in unhealthy cycles of comparison, insecurity, and cyberbullying.
“This ban sends a clear message that we won’t let Big Tech dictate our children’s well-being. Kids need space to develop their identities away from the pressure of social media, and this initiative is a necessary step in protecting them from harm. This is something that could also be implemented in Malaysia; it would be a great initiative for the future of our kids in the country,” said Thayalani.
Emma Barrett, a school teacher in Sydney, said that the ban will help students avoid getting distracted by their phones.
“In the classroom, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend – students are constantly distracted by their phones, struggling with the pressure of maintaining a curated online image. It’s no surprise that this has contributed to a rise in anxiety and depression among young people.
“This ban is a breath of fresh air. It gives our children the chance to grow up without being constantly exposed to the dangers of online exploitation, bullying, and the pressure of social comparison. I believe it’s time to prioritise their mental health over Big Tech profits,” said Barrett.
However, the Australian government’s move hasn’t been well received by all citizens, with some arguing that the ban on social media will deny young Australians the chance to develop their critical digital skills.
“I get that the government is trying to protect kids, but honestly, this ban feels like a complete overreaction. It’s a lazy, shortsighted solution to a complex issue. Instead of addressing the root causes of online harm, the government is sweeping everything under the rug, pretending that blocking kids from social media will somehow solve the problem.
“This isn’t just a matter of protecting vulnerable youth — it’s a blatant overreach, and it shows a complete misunderstanding of the role social media plays in modern life. Social media is essential for communication, learning, and even for kids to express themselves creatively.
“By banning it, the government is denying young Australians the chance to develop the critical digital skills they’ll need in their future careers. It’s a misguided move that, quite frankly, feels more like an attempt to control the digital space than actually safeguarding young people,” said Sophia Ava, a digital marketing specialist in Brisbane.
Meanwhile, Daniel Wong, a lecturer at Curtin University in Perth, said that the government should focus on creating a safer online environment for youth rather than entirely banning their access.
“Banning social media for under-16s is a heavy-handed approach that doesn’t take into account the reality of how young people interact with the world today. Social media isn’t just about mindless scrolling – it’s a platform for expression, education, and staying connected with friends and family.
“Instead of banning access, why not focus on building safer online environments and encouraging responsible use? This decision feels like it disregards the value of social media in the lives of today’s youth,” said Daniel.
It was reported that social media platforms operating in Australia have 12 months to develop and roll out systems to enforce the age restrictions, which are expected to be in place by the end of 2025. – December 28, 2025