Harms Children Face from Social Media and How to Prevent them

Concern about young people’s social media use is escalating, with suggestions of age-restricted bans emerging. However, a ban may not be the solution.

An Argentine high school student uses her cell phone at her home's yard in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 28, 2020. Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images

Children’s use of social media is a considerable worry for many parents and political figures, and there is much evidence to support their concerns.

In Australia, discussions have been made for an age-restricted ban on social media, and both Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have advocated for banning social media for children under 16.