Earlier this month Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under the age of 16. “Changing the country’s location is so phenomenally easy ... I’ve seen my friends do it when their parents are really strict on social media ... Most people my age, even if they’re allowed or not allowed social media by their parents, have accounts.”She says there needs to be more education and “digital media literacy”. If you bring in the ban you’ll really see that being played out — Sarah Davitt“If we bring in this ban we’re just going to presume kids aren’t on social media, because they shouldn’t be there, which then just creates a worse social media space ... “There are times I’ve spent too much time on social media,” Holly admits, “but I go on social media because it shows me things I’m interested in.

Source: The Irish Times December 28, 2025 09:02 UTC