Social Media Bans

What’s going on down under?

On November 28, 2024, Australia became the first country to ban social media for children younger than 16 years old. The platforms prohibited under this law include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and X. Gaming and messaging platforms are expected to be spared, as well as YouTube, because of its educational purpose.

The restriction, which will go into effect in 2025, is meant to address concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health of minors. Social media users often experience depression and anxiety symptoms, cyberbullying, negative body image, and disordered eating behaviors.

Australia’s ban is an attempt to break kids’ compulsive digital habits. In defense of the legislation, the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them.”

While 77% of Australians support the ban, according to a YouGov poll conducted ahead of the ruling, it also presents implementation and privacy protection challenges. Critics argue the ban only kicks the can down the road, creates technological illiteracy, and removes a support network for young people, particularly the most vulnerable communities like LGBTQIA. Influencers, creators, and brand ambassadors will also be adversely affected as businesses reassess their online marketing campaigns. 

Is it happening here?

Meanwhile, in the U.S., TikTok’s future continues to be uncertain. According to a law passed in April 2024, the popular app will be banned on January 19, 2025, unless it separates from its Chinese parent company ByteDance. In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory about the effects of social media on youth mental health, but this national youth mental health crisis is not the primary argument behind the U.S. TikTok ban. 

American lawmakers passed the anti-TikTok legislation over concerns about national security and privacy, as well as algorithm manipulation by Chinese authorities. As of May 2024, 39 states have already banned TikTok from government devices, but President-elect Trump has vowed to save the app and could try to reverse the ban. 

What does it all mean? 

According to a December 2024 Pew Research report, one-third of teens use at least one social media platform almost constantly, and nearly half of teens say they are online almost constantly. 

And these apps are replacing traditional media: 37% of adults under 30 claim to get their news from social media influencers. The recent U.S. election proved that social media can be a powerful tool that can build community and facilitate an exchange of ideas, but algorithms also amplify mis- and disinformation, conspiracy theories, and dangerous deepfakes.

It’s too soon to tell if the Australian approach to social media platform regulation is the right one, but it is an important step towards regulation of the platforms. “Social media companies should be held accountable for the decisions of their algorithms,” posits author and historian Yuval Noah Harari. Algorithm transparency and social media company accountability protect the free speech of the user while holding the companies responsible for the algorithm content selection process. 

Harari also argues that “Information technology is the foundation of democracy. Democracy is built on top of the flow of information.” If social media algorithms stop rewarding and amplifying outrage content, which is often toxic and false, in service of increasing their own profits, these apps could be a safer, freer exchange of ideas among the public. 

Freedom of expression in a healthy democracy requires citizens to respect one another’s rights to express differing ideas. The paradox of this condition of democracy, according to journalist Sean Illing, is that free speech also can threaten and undermine democracy. 

At Feel Good Action, we support open discourse to foster a diverse, inclusive, and participatory democracy. We therefore believe in reasonable and transparent regulation for societal good across all industries, particularly as it pertains to social media, that manages inherent conflicts of interests between business objectives and societal responsibilities for gatekeepers of information.

Now, you!

Now that you’ve got some of the facts under your belt, what do you think about Australia’s ban? Is there anything the U.S. can learn from it? How do you see social media being used for good?