East Asia
Asia debates Australia’s ban on ‘brain rot’ social media for children: safety or control?
![Asia debates Australia’s ban on ‘brain rot’ social media for children: safety or control?](https://nsn.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Asia-debates-Australias-ban-on-‘brain-rot-social-media-for-780x470.jpg)
A seismic shift is coming to the online lives of Australia’s youth, after a parliamentary vote set the stage for a social media blackout for anyone under 16.
Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and other platforms will soon be off-limits to young Australians, transforming how they interact with the digital world and leaving a generation to cope with the absence of their online playgrounds.
For the millions of youngsters hooked on the thrill of likes and shares, this impending change – set to take effect within 12 months – could feel like a rude awakening.
Yet for parents alarmed by the myriad dangers of social media – bullying, scams, self-esteem issues, and predation by adults – the ban is viewed as a necessary shield and a victory for child safety.
The goal? To steer children away from digital distractions and towards real-world connections, such as sports and face-to-face conversations.
“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, celebrating the vote on November 28.
![Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: Getty Images/TNS Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: Getty Images/TNS](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/12/06/59834cff-4b56-4e01-80d2-41ff3b7dc1bb_f347abc6.jpg)