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Kirra Pendergast, a prominent cyber safety educator, interacts with thousands of teenagers every year, shedding light on the dangers lurking in the digital world. She’s seen it all—bullying, sextortion, cyber threats—but a recent encounter with a group of 12- and 13-year-old students in an Australian high school left her shaken. During her talk, some boys in the room began shouting misogynistic slurs, repeating toxic behaviors they had likely encountered online. The situation escalated when a girl made a vulgar comment, causing Pendergast to leave the room in tears.

“I can’t believe I’m crying on film,” she shared in a video posted afterward. “I know this behavior is a direct result of what these kids have seen online. It’s got to change.”

Once against the idea of banning social media for young users, Pendergast now supports the move. “After considering every argument, I thought, ‘You know what? Just ban it,’” she said.

A Controversial New Law to Restrict Social Media Access for Children

In response to growing concerns about the effects of social media on children, the Australian government is moving forward with a groundbreaking law aimed at removing social media access for kids under 16. This “world-first” legislation would require social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter) to ensure their services aren’t accessible to underage users.

If the law is passed, social media companies that fail to block access to minors could face hefty fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32 million). While the government has not dictated specific measures, it expects platforms to implement age verification tools. Though privacy concerns are part of the conversation, supporters argue that even if the law saves just one life, it will be worth it.

The Heartbreaking Impact of Online Bullying

The push for such a law has been fueled by the tragic deaths of several young children who took their own lives after being subjected to bullying on social media. In September, 12-year-old Charlotte O’Brien died by suicide, followed by Ella Catley-Crawford, also 12, who was reportedly bullied on Snapchat. In Ella’s case, bullies used a fake profile to trick her and spread private videos. Her family has since launched a GoFundMe campaign, declaring, “SOCIAL MEDIA BULLYING IS REAL.”

Charlotte’s parents, Matthew Howard and Kelly O’Brien, have joined the movement to raise the social media age limit from 13 to 16. Their daughter’s final wish was for them to help raise awareness about online harm, and they presented a petition with over 124,000 signatures to the Australian Prime Minister. “No parent should ever go through what we’ve experienced,” Matthew said in a video shared with CNN.

Dr. Danielle Einstein, a clinical psychologist, emphasized the difficulties schools face in managing the fallout from online bullying. “Teachers are under tremendous pressure, and the culture of mean behavior has been exacerbated by social media, making it difficult to stop,” she said.

Broad Political Support for the Ban

While political consensus is rare in Australia, there is widespread agreement on the need for action to protect children from online harm. Both major political parties support the proposed age limit, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressing concern about the detrimental effects of social media on young people. “Social media is often anything but social, and it’s harming our children,” Albanese said in a video posted to Instagram.

Dany Elachi, a father who once allowed his 10-year-old daughter to use a smartphone, shares this view. After seeing how quickly it consumed her life, Elachi and his wife formed the Heads Up Alliance to encourage other parents to delay giving their children smartphones. “We’ve seen suicide notes from kids that cite social media as a factor in their deaths. How can we still be debating whether social media is damaging our kids?” Elachi said.

Debate: Is a Ban the Right Solution?

Despite the widespread recognition of social media’s harmful effects, many experts believe an outright ban may not be the best response. Over 140 experts signed a letter to the government, arguing that a ban is a “blunt” tool that could undermine efforts to improve online safety features. Instead, they recommend that laws be updated to bring digital platforms under Australian jurisdiction, with a focus on working directly with young people to create safer online spaces.

Dr. Amanda Third, a researcher at Western Sydney University, believes the current age limit of 13 for social media accounts is suitable for many children. While a ban may seem like an easy solution for concerned parents, she warns that it won’t fully address the underlying issue. “A ban will not take away the challenges of parenting in the digital age,” she said.

Some critics suggest the proposed ban is politically motivated, especially with the upcoming federal elections. Media giant News Corporation has been one of the most vocal supporters of the ban, partly due to a dispute with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, which stopped paying Australian news outlets for content in 2023. News Corp has also launched the “Let Them Be Kids” campaign to highlight the dangers of social media and push for a ban on under-16 access.

Industry Reactions and the Road Ahead

Social media platforms have taken some steps to address bullying. Instagram, for instance, has partnered with Kids Helpline on an anti-bullying campaign, and Snapchat has emphasized blocking and reporting harmful users. However, many believe these measures are insufficient.

Elon Musk, owner of X, has criticized the proposed ban as excessive government interference. His comments reflect broader concerns about government control over the internet.

Though the proposed ban is still being debated, Pendergast, the cyber safety expert, remains committed to the idea. “If one simple rule can protect even one child, isn’t it worth it?” she wrote on Facebook. “Why should we deny kids this protection? Why is the debate over ‘ban or no ban’ becoming a political game, when the real losers are the children?”

As the debate continues, the question of how to protect children from online harm remains at the forefront of public discussion in Australia.