Should Social Media Be Banned for Children? A Closer Look at Mental Wellbeing and Legislative Solutions 

This opinion piece appeared in The West Australian on September 11 2024. By Deborah Childs CEO HelpingMinds

Social media has become an integral part of modern life, especially for young people. With platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat becoming popular among children and teens, concerns are rising about the impact of social media on mental wellbeing. Recent proposals to ban social media access for children have gained traction, aiming to protect them from potential harm. However, is a ban truly the solution, or do we need to take a closer look at how children engage with these platforms and the societal pressures driving their usage?

Numerous studies have shown that social media can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. One of the more concerning findings comes from a 2017 study which found that social media platforms, particularly Instagram, were linked to increased anxiety, depression, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy in young people. These platforms often present an idealised version of life, encouraging constant comparison and competition, which can erode self-esteem and lead to poor mental health outcomes. It also found that social media was more addictive than cigarettes or alcohol!

A further 2017 study found that excessive social media use among adolescents is linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The study emphasised that the more time children spend on these platforms, the more likely they are to encounter cyberbullying and harmful content, exacerbating feelings of isolation and vulnerability.

But the mental health toll of social media is not limited to children. Adults too experience the pressures of constant connectivity. Adults who frequently use social media are more likely to report higher levels of stress, burnout, and dissatisfaction with life. This shared experience across age groups raises a critical question: Is banning social media for children the right solution, or does the problem run deeper?

Proposals to ban social media for children aim to protect them from these adverse effects, but simply cutting off access is unlikely to address the root of the issue. One key reason is that children, like adults, often seek online spaces for connection and self-expression. Studies such as “The Fake One is the Real One: Finstas, Authenticity, and Context Collapse in Teen Friend Groups” by Christopher R. Darr and Erin F. Doss highlight that teens use social media not just for entertainment but as a space for authentic self-presentation among close friends. Their use of “Finstas” (fake Instagram accounts) demonstrates how teens often seek refuge from the pressures of highly curated public profiles, opting instead for smaller, more intimate groups where they can be themselves.

Banning social media risks cutting off this important outlet for self-expression. Worse, it may drive children to use these platforms secretly, further limiting parental oversight and increasing the likelihood of unsafe online behaviour. Pew Research found, 59% of children aged 13 to 17 admitted to having created fake accounts to bypass age restrictions. This points to a deeper issue: without addressing the societal and psychological factors that drive children to social media, legislative bans are likely to fall short.

Instead of focusing on banning social media, a more effective approach may involve promoting digital literacy and offering mental health support. Research indicates that children who are taught how to use social media responsibly—by setting boundaries, recognising harmful content, and limiting screen time—are less likely to experience the negative mental health effects associated with social media. Programs such as Common Sense Media’s digital citizenship initiative provide children with the tools they need to navigate social media safely, without resorting to harmful comparisons or unhealthy consumption patterns. Last November the report “Adapting Common Sense’s Digital Citizenship Curriculum for use in Australian primary schools and early education settings” this recommended the implementation in Australia of these tools in all schools, unfortunately no West Australian schools were involved in this research.

Therefore, creating safe spaces for children to talk about their online experiences can foster healthier social media habits. Teens often seek platforms where they can be vulnerable with their peers, breaking down the facade of perfection that dominates much of social media. Encouraging open dialogue between children and their parents, caregivers and teachers can help reduce the stigma of mental health struggles and offer young people the support they need to engage with social media healthily.

While the idea of banning social media for children may seem like a straightforward solution, it is unlikely to address the complex factors contributing to social media’s negative effects. We instead have an opportunity for a more comprehensive approach—one that includes digital literacy education, mental health resources, and parental involvement. Children need to be equipped with the tools to navigate the online world safely, without falling prey to the pressures of comparison and perfection. By fostering environments where children feel safe to be themselves, both online and offline, we can help mitigate the mental health risks associated with social media and encourage healthier, more responsible engagement.

Just as the prohibition of drugs has driven the problem underground rather than eliminating it, banning social media won’t solve its challenges. Instead, we have an innovative opportunity to harness technology for the greater good, ensuring it enhances our lives rather than detracts from it.