Social Media Bans Aren’t Enough to Make Children Safe

Governments worldwide, including Australia, France, and the UK, are increasingly implementing age-based bans on social media to protect minors. However, experts argue that these legislative efforts fail to address the root causes of online harm. According to policy research, simply removing access does not account for the systemic issues inherent in platforms, such as engagement-maximizing recommender algorithms, opaque moderation, and invasive data practices. Furthermore, enforcement remains a significant challenge due to limited institutional capacity, a lack of digital literacy among users, and the privacy risks associated with age-verification systems. Instead of blanket bans, the author suggests that regulators should focus on holding platforms accountable for their design choices and safety features. Ultimately, the article concludes that effective child protection requires a more nuanced approach that prioritizes systemic oversight over simple account removals, which often prove ineffective and technically problematic.