Katharine Kemp: Social media ban or band-aid?
This is a law that affects everyone in Australia that uses social media and not just kids.
From December 10 2025, Australia’s ban on social media for children under the age of 16 comes into effect. The key mechanisms for how the ban will be enforced are still evolving and will likely impact all people who use social media in Australia.
The ban has sparked discussion about the role of social media in young childrens’ lives. Its intention is to protect children however, social media can also connect young people who feel alienated. Countries, such as New Zealand and Denmark, have followed Australia with proposals for their own social media bans. Meanwhile, the recent ban in Nepal has led to widespread protests and sparked legal debate. If enforced, will the Australian policy be challenged as unconstitutional for its impact on freedom of communication?
On this episode of What’s the Tea?, Katharine Kemp tackles these issues with a nuanced view, balancing the very real need to protect children with the privacy breaches that should concern all those in Australia.
