Kids are outsmarting social media bans. That’s not a problem we need to solve.
This article argues that government-mandated social media bans for minors are ineffective and potentially harmful. It suggests that instead of focusing on age-gate enforcement, policymakers should prioritize data privacy and family-oriented digital tools.
Why it matters
It challenges the prevailing legislative trend of restricting youth internet access, advocating for a more nuanced approach to digital safety.
Age gates can be staggeringly counterproductive, pushing kids to darker corners of the web. Closing loopholes will only make things worse.
Social media bans are stacking up. In July, France joined Australia in restricting minors from accessing social media—barring children under 15 from major platforms, before the ban was blocked by the country’s top court on human rights grounds. The UK aims to forbid kids under 16 from accessing Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms in early 2027, and the EU has announced its own plan to prohibit social media for kids under 15.
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