Social media ban for children: A necessary experiment?

Children today are growing up online. A UNICEF study found that 60 percent of Filipino children aged 10 to 17 are active internet users, with many exposed to cyberbullying, body image pressure, online predators, and harmful content.

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The growing concerns over mental health has been echoed globally.

Also, research has linked excessive screen time to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, behavioral issues, and attention deficits. Manila Bulletin columnist Mon Ibrahim had warned of screen dependency disorder—a form of digital addiction now alarmingly common in kids.

A 2024 global study reported that teens spend an average of 7.5 hours a day on screens, with younger children logging up to five hours. More troubling, platforms deliberately exploit psychological vulnerabilities through dopamine-driven feedback loops—likes, shares, and endless scrolling—that hijack children’s developing brains.

This is not new information. Many parents and school organizations have commented on this trend, urging for laws to restrict children’s access to social media. The studies indicate the need to do something about letting our children grow up online, their values and behavior influenced by social media personalities.

Australia has found an answer. Starting Dec. 10, Australia will become the first country in the world to enforce a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under 16, according to an AP report. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and X face fines of up to AUD 50 million (P1.8 billion) if they fail to block underage users. The policy—while controversial—is a bold attempt to address what many now see as a full-blown crisis in child development.