Australia’s dummy spit over kids on social media isn’t the answer. We need an internet for children | Aleesha Rodriguez

The ban is a distraction from the need to develop of high-quality experiences online for children of different ages

The internet, including social media, was not made with children and young people in mind. This is why online experiences are not always good for children and sometimes even exploitative, risky, and deeply problematic. No wonder parents are worried, educators are at a loss and the government feels compelled to act. But banning children from social media is not the answer.

Anthony Albanese’s announcement on Tuesday that the government intends to introduce legislation to enforce a minimum age on children accessing social media is a knee-jerk reaction. It has been made before the recent Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society has even issued a proper interim report, which undermines evidence-based policy.

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