Social media ban: Will the Aussie model work for India?
India is considering following Australia's lead in banning social media for children under 16 to protect their mental health. However, reports from Australia suggest that such bans are easily bypassed, raising questions about the effectiveness of the proposed policy.
Why it matters
This debate addresses the global challenge of regulating digital platforms to protect minors while balancing privacy and enforcement feasibility.
Australia introduced a landmark ban on social media usage for children under 16 in December 2025. This was due to concerns about the impact of social media on the mental and physical health of children.
Months after the ban came into force, there are conflicting reports on whether it was effective. A recent survey by the Molly Rose Foundation found that 61% of Australian children aged 12-15 who previously had accounts on restricted platforms still retained access to at least one account. Seven in ten said it was easy to bypass the restrictions, while over half reported that the ban had made no difference to how safe they felt online. At the same time, half the respondents said they were spending less time online, suggesting some early behavioural changes.
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