麻豆社

From 10 December, Australian children under 16 will be banned from most social media platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat.

The ban is designed to protect teenagers from harmful content and other risks such as cyberbullying and grooming. Surveys suggest the legislation is popular with many parents, but it has been challenged by social media companies and some young campaigners have argued it disregards children鈥檚 rights.

In our conversations we bring together two families in New South Wales who are on opposite sides of the debate. We also hear from three young Australians with tens of thousands of social media followers, including Ella.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not our fault the harmful content鈥檚 there, it鈥檚 the apps鈥�,鈥� Ella tells us. 鈥淪o why are we being the ones removed? We鈥檒l still find ways of getting to that harmful content, no matter the ban or no ban 鈥� it鈥檚 the content that needs to be removed, not us.鈥�

Presenter: Luke Jones
麻豆社 producers: Isabella Bull and Angela Sheeran
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham
Editor: Arja Haikonen and Harriet Oliver

An EcoAudio certified Boffin Media production in partnership with the OS team.

(Photo: Courtney from New South Wales with her son Kyan, who鈥檚 13. He will be affected by the ban. Credit: Courtney)