QUESTION: Australia just passed a law banning kids under 16 from using major social media apps. Do you think something like that would ever happen in America, and do you think it should?
The Water Cooler – Australia Just Passed A Law Banning Kids Under 16 From Using Major Social Media Apps – Do You Think Something Like That Would Ever Happen In America, And Do You Think It Should??
It’s a complex situation, and I don’t think a total ban will be successful. Kids are creative
and sneaky, they will find ways around it.
When something is banned, unforeseen problems will be created, making things worse.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/world/asia/australia-social-media-ban-under-16.html
Hell yeah!
Nope – won’t happen here now – too late…. we should have put limits on it years ago …. too late now
Never! Big tech will collude with corrupt politicians to keep teenagers in the pipeline.
1000% unequivocally and an astounding YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Social media was our biggest mistake ever…complete and utter garbage! People’s face constantly trained on that little black box beyond ridiculous.
Most adults should be banned using them as well!
I am sure some of our Congress critters would try to do this, but not sure it would pass Constitutional muster. Plus, many of our “representatives” probably have some financial ties to these companies, so would not want to impair their gravy trains.. Even more, it would be a law that would go unfollowed by more than half of teens. I do not think it would happen. I also lean to it should not happen, for Constitutional/overreach of the government reasons.
I think Australia just defined “legislative pipe-dream.”
When is the last time Western civilization adults really had a controlling say over what their teens see, say, do? 7 or 8 decades ago?
The closest adults had of prohibiting certain accesses was the TV/Movie rating system. That system slowed the kids down a bit. Didn’t ‘stop’ their access to anything.
No way. Kids av rights too ya know Fahkin’ fair dinkum mate.
I know… you’re all saying “Wow, DJ speaks Australian”
The truth is I just used the English to Australian Translator!
*
https://lingojam.com/EnglishtoAustralian
The only way I believe it is likely to happen in the US is if tech companies self-regulate and what are the chances of that occurring?
The 1st Amendment clear states “Congress shall make no law . . . . abridging the freedom of speech..” Constitutional rights are inherent are not subject to arbitrary or capricious age limits. That said, no Amendment rights are absolute but it seems clear that Government interference in free exercise of speech is extremely limited.
I’m sure someone will point out that States including California have passed laws attempting to restrict juveniles from accessing social media but there are Federal preliminary injunctions against several state laws (like Florida’s HB 3, California’s SB 976, Arkansas, Ohio) that ban or restrict minors from social media, finding they likely violate the First Amendment by restricting free speech and some of the States will no doubt appeal but it will be a tough row to hoe so to speak for the States to prevail IMHO.
This is problem should be delt with at the lowest level, which is to say it is the parent’s responsibility to parent. Yes some parents are ineffectual but that is one of the costs of freedom.
Parenting is the most important job left to armatures.