Australia's social media ban and the lessons for Britain

Prohibition Down Under aims to shield children from online harms

- Jessica Ringrose and Rebecca Coleman.

The Australian government has been praised for implementing a ban on social media for youngsters, but the UK following suit could do more harm than good, argue Jessica Ringrose and Rebecca Coleman.

A ban on social media for under-16s in Australia came into effect on Wednesday. Young people saw their accounts deactivated, with social media companies responsible for enacting the ban.

In the UK, the government has committed to addressing young people's use of the internet through the Online Safety Act rather than enforcing an outright ban.

However, children's use of devices is often limited. Bans on smartphones in schools, as well as parent pledges to delay their children's smartphone use, have gained widespread traction in the UK. They are based on assumptions including that smartphone use is addictive, distracting and leads to children doing worse in school.

On the other hand, though, research suggests the cause and effect may not be so clearcut. Studies have found that phone banning in schools does not significantly increase academic attainment or improve wellbeing.