How Australia is Reclaiming Childhood

While New York State is gingerly tiptoeing around the idea of restricting cell phone use in schools, Australia stood up, said hold my beer and reclaimed childhood.

In a bold move, Australia enacted a groundbreaking law prohibiting children under 16 from using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Set to take effect in late 2025, this law doesn’t just challenge Big Tech—it forces us to rethink how we view kids’ online activities.

Let’s face it: Social media is entertainment. Scrolling through dance videos, laughing at memes, catching up on celebrity gossip, or checking out sports highlights—it’s how many kids spend their time. But unlike other forms of entertainment, social media isn’t regulated. And it’s always on. 

Movies, for instance, have a beginning and an end—they’re an escape from real life. Social media? It’s endless and invasive. And despite its well-documented adverse effects on mental health and behavior, it’s as accessible to kids as a Wi-Fi connection.

Australia’s law tackles these growing concerns head-on. Excessive social media use has been linked to anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying. By limiting access, the law aims to reduce these risks and encourage kids to reconnect with real-world experiences—face-to-face interactions, building self-esteem without the pressure of likes and shares, and simply being kids.

Here’s the thing: We’ve regulated entertainment for young audiences in the U.S. for decades. Movie ratings restrict access to mature content. Video games come with age recommendations. Drinking, voting, and even driving are delayed until individuals have the maturity to handle the responsibilities involved. These safeguards exist for a reason: to protect young people and give them the time they need to grow.

Why should social media be any different?

Social media is engineered to hold attention and evoke emotional responses. The play of emotions is increasing. Algorithms push sensational content, amplify unhealthy comparisons, and promote addictive behaviors. The American Psychological Association reports that 41 percent of teens who use social media heavily rate their mental health as poor or very poor, compared to 23 percent of teens with minimal use. These numbers echo why we regulate gambling or alcohol—activities that exploit vulnerabilities and can have lasting consequences.

Australia’s move allows kids to engage in real-world activities and relationships, free from the manipulative pull of a screen. Childhood should be a time for exploration and growth, not battling algorithms designed to exploit developing minds.

This raises an important question: If we regulate movies, alcohol, and other forms of entertainment to protect kids, why not social media? We don’t let 10-year-olds watch R-rated films or drink alcohol, so why allow them unrestricted access to platforms that shape their self-image and worldview before they’re ready to engage critically?

The parallels are hard to ignore. Voting demands civic understanding. Drinking and driving require emotional and physical maturity. Yet social media, which profoundly influences identity, relationships, and mental health, doesn’t even include a warning label.

Australia’s move isn’t about denying kids fun—it’s about giving them the space to grow. Social media may be entertainment, but it’s also a powerful tool of influence. Like other activities that are regulated, social media needs boundaries.

Australia’s bold step reminds us this isn’t just about screens; it’s about protecting childhood. The rest of the world should take note.

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Take a listen to the latest FMC Fast Chat podcast featuring expert Sree Sreenivasan taking us inside the digital landscape to deliver a wakeup call, “From Promise to Crisis: The Hidden Costs of Social Media.”