Kirra Pendergast, a cyber safety educator who works with thousands of teenagers every year, has seen firsthand the risks kids face online, including bullying, sextortion, and threats. However, a recent experience with a group of 12- and 13-year-olds left her shocked. During a presentation at an Australian high school, a group of boys began shouting insults about the women featured in her slides, echoing derogatory comments often heard from misogynistic online influencers. When a girl in the front row made a vulgar remark, Pendergast, visibly shaken, ended up leaving the room in tears.
In a video recorded after the incident, Pendergast shared her feelings: “I believe the behavior I witnessed today is driven by what these kids have seen online. And it has to change.”
While Pendergast had once opposed the idea of banning social media for children, her views have since shifted. “After considering all the arguments, I thought, ‘You know what? Just ban it,'” she said.
The Australian Government’s Push for a Ban
The Australian government is pushing for a new law that would remove access to social media for children under the age of 16. The proposed legislation, which the government describes as “world-leading,” aims to make it illegal for platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and X to be used by minors. If passed, the law would allow courts to impose fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (around $32 million) on social media companies that fail to take steps to prevent underage users from accessing their platforms.
While the government is not prescribing specific methods for enforcement, it expects companies to implement age verification systems. These new requirements have raised concerns about privacy, but the government says it will address these issues in the legislation.
Despite the government’s optimism, critics argue that the law is being rushed for political reasons, with some fearing it could push underage users into more dangerous and unregulated areas of the internet. Supporters, however, believe that even if the law saves just one child’s life, it will be worth the effort.
The Tragic Consequences of Social Media Bullying
The debate has gained urgency in light of recent tragedies. Two young girls, Charlotte O’Brien and Ella Catley-Crawford, both 12, died by suicide in the past few months after enduring bullying on platforms like Snapchat. In Ella’s case, bullies reportedly posed as other people online and shared private videos she had sent. Her family launched a GoFundMe campaign with the message, “SOCIAL MEDIA BULLYING IS REAL.”
Charlotte’s parents, Matthew Howard and Kelly O’Brien, have since joined the push to raise the minimum age for social media access from 13 to 16, an effort that has gained traction in Australia. They presented a petition with over 124,000 signatures to the Prime Minister, urging the government to act. “No parent should ever have to go through what we’ve been through,” said Matthew in a video shared with CNN.
Psychologist Dr. Danielle Einstein explained that teachers are under intense pressure as they deal with online interactions that occur outside school hours, on platforms they can’t control. “The culture in schools has been undermined by social media. Negative behaviors are often allowed to persist simply because they are so difficult to stop,” she said.
Political Consensus on Social Media Reform
Although political agreement is rare in Australia, on this issue, there is widespread support for a social media age limit. The opposition party proposed the idea in June, and it was quickly backed by the Prime Minister, as well as state and territory leaders. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted a video on Instagram, where he called for action: “Social media isn’t social at all. It’s doing harm to our children, and we need to put a stop to it.”
Some parents, like Dany Elachi, agree. Elachi and his wife gave their 10-year-old daughter a smartphone but quickly noticed it was having a negative impact on her life. They founded the Heads Up Alliance to encourage parents to delay giving smartphones to their children. “We’re seeing suicide notes from kids that mention social media as a factor in their deaths,” Elachi said. “How can we still be debating whether social media is harming our kids?”
The Debate Over the Best Solution
While the harm caused by social media is widely acknowledged, some experts believe that banning it outright may not be the best solution. More than 140 experts signed a letter to the Australian government, warning that a ban would remove the incentive for tech companies to improve safety measures. They argue for a more nuanced approach, such as updating laws to regulate digital platforms more effectively and involving young people in decisions about their online safety.
Dr. Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, suggests that the current minimum sign-up age of 13 may still be appropriate for many children. While a ban may seem like an easy solution, she argues it won’t necessarily offer the relief parents hope for. “The reality is that this issue will continue to be part of parenting,” she said.
Critics of the ban also point to political motivations. With an election approaching, some believe the law is more about gaining political points than genuinely addressing the issue. News Corporation, which has been vocal in supporting the ban, has its own interest in the matter, particularly following Meta’s decision to stop paying Australian news outlets for content in 2023.
Industry Reactions and Future Challenges
Social media companies like Meta, Snap, and TikTok have responded to concerns by implementing safety features, including anti-bullying tools. For instance, Instagram has partnered with Kids Helpline on campaigns to help kids cope with bullying. However, some critics argue that these measures don’t go far enough, and that a ban could drive children into even more dangerous, unregulated spaces online.
Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), has criticized the proposed ban, calling it an overreach by the government. His comments reflect concerns that such a law could pave the way for greater government control over the internet.
As the bill moves closer to becoming law, the debate continues. Cyber safety educator Kirra Pendergast believes that even if the law helps just one child, it will be worth it. “Why should we deny children the protection they deserve?” she asked in a Facebook post. “While we argue, the real losers are the kids.”
Whether the law passes or not, the conversation about how to protect children online is far from over, and finding the right balance between regulation and freedom will continue to be a major challenge.
