Australia Enacts Social Media Ban for Under-16s to Combat Harm

Mia Bannister has transformed her grief into action after the tragic loss of her son, Ollie, who died by suicide following a struggle with anorexia and online bullying. Her advocacy has led to Australia implementing groundbreaking legislation that will ban children under the age of 16 from major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit starting on December 10, 2023. Companies that fail to enforce this ban could face fines of up to $32 million.

Mia, who memorializes Ollie with a tattoo featuring a mother holding a heart, expressed her belief that if such measures had been in place a year ago, Ollie might still be alive. Reflecting on their close bond, she stated, “He was my best friend. He was my world.” She described how Ollie faced relentless online bullying and was exposed to content on platforms like TikTok and YouTube that exacerbated his eating disorder.

When his struggles began, Mia, a single parent balancing work and home life, lacked an understanding of the social media landscape that her son was navigating. “I was trying to keep a roof over our heads, not really understanding either what platforms he’s on and how they work,” she said. In her view, social media companies hold significant responsibility for the unchecked and unfiltered content that young users encounter. “When parents hand their child a phone, we hand them the greatest weapon we could hand them,” she added.

Legislation Aims to Protect Youth

The new law is part of a broader initiative to reshape how children engage with social media in Australia. According to a survey by Mission Australia, approximately 97% of teenagers reported using social media daily, with nearly half spending three or more hours online. Those who limited their usage to less than three hours reported better overall well-being. The Australian government hopes this legislation will significantly alter the online environment for children, rather than eliminate their access to the internet altogether.

Nonetheless, questions about enforcement remain, particularly regarding age verification methods. Some major platforms, including Discord and Pinterest, will not be subject to the ban, although Australian authorities retain the option to impose restrictions on all platforms in the future. Critics, including Catherine Page Jeffery, a lecturer at the University of Sydney, have expressed concerns that blanket bans could inadvertently push young individuals towards unsafe online spaces. “I prefer to see greater safety obligations placed on platforms,” she remarked, emphasizing that many online environments are not designed with children in mind.

Balancing Safety and Opportunities

For many young people, social media serves as a vital tool for self-expression and skill development. Twelve-year-old Ava Chanel Jones exemplifies this dynamic. With her mother, Zoe, guiding her, Ava uses Instagram to showcase her talents in cheerleading, dancing, and modeling, garnering over 11,400 followers. This has allowed her to generate a monthly income, receive free products, and even launch her own clothing line. Ava’s interactions with strangers on the platform are closely monitored by her mother, who emphasizes the importance of parental oversight.

As the legislation approaches implementation, Zoe has concerns about the implications for Ava’s burgeoning online presence. “I’m her parent — it’s my responsibility to protect her the best that I can when she’s on social media,” she noted, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding how influencer accounts will be managed under the new rules.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has defended the age restrictions, calling them a “really potent solution” to combat online harm while acknowledging the complexity of the issue. The challenge remains to find a balance that ensures safety without stifling opportunities for young people to explore and engage with their interests online.

Mia Bannister continues to advocate for change, using her charity to raise awareness about eating disorders in boys and the importance of the new social media regulations. “I do it for him, and I do it for all the other children out there: the lost children and the ones that we’re all going to save,” she stated, reflecting her commitment to ensuring that no other parent experiences the same tragedy she has endured.