Should SA also ban social media for under 16s?
Australia recently passed a landmark ban that has led to a lot of mixed emotions.
With 2025 comes the rise of a new generation: Gen Beta.
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Every child in this generation will grow up in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is a given, shaping all aspect of their lives. Like their predecessors, they’ll also be part of the ongoing digital era defined by social media and the internet.
Social media is a massive part of modern life – whether it's used for staying connected with friends, building businesses, or launching careers as influencers and content creators.
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Yet, since its inception, the debate around its pros and cons has been ongoing.
This debate will continue as long as these platforms stick around and new ones join the fold.
There is also extensive research being done on both sides of the debate, but no solid conclusions can be drawn.
Are people better off without social media interaction, or does it play a positive role in society?
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In November 2024, Australia implemented some of the strictest social media laws in the world, banning children under 16 from accessing all social media platforms.
Naturally, this sparked significant backlash from major social media companies, while igniting a global conversation about the role of social media in young people's lives.
This law aims to protect children from the mental health risks of social media, such as cyberbullying, addiction, and exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content.
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According to UNICEF South Africa’s ‘SA Kids Online Study’ (2020):
70% of children surveyed use the internet without parental consent
25% confirmed that they have added people whom they have never met face-to-face to their friends or contacts list
18% have sent a photo or video of themselves to a person they have never met face-to-face
67% of child participants who have seen sexual images were exposed to them on an online device
It should also be noted that South Africa lacks widespread media literacy and online safety education initiatives.
However, enforcing such a ban in South Africa does not seem practical.
It would require significant technological investment and policy frameworks to ensure compliance.
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Main image courtesy of AFP