Ban on Instagram and other social media for teens? Principals and parents weigh in on proposed Australian law

The Australian prime minister on Tuesday shared plans to pass federal legislation to ban children from… social networks Like Tiktok, Instagram and FacebookThe proposal aims to impose age limits of 14 to 16 for the use of all social media. The intention, the Prime Minister explained, was to “get kids off their devices and onto football pitches”.

Times Now contacted school principals, teachers and parents in India To find out their opinion on the measure and whether similar restrictions were needed in the country. While most agreed on the threat of social media, a blanket ban was not seen as a possible solution.

“The ban on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for children up to the age of 16 is a well-intentioned measure as screen addiction is real. The chemical addiction triggered by social media content causes them to spend more time on the apps and drastically reduces their engagement in activities that are necessary and best for them, such as playing games or reading books. Ideally, children should not have access to phones and social media until the age of 15 because their brains are still developing and are not equipped to handle the constant stimulation and influx of data available on social media. However, with the reliance on online education peaking during the pandemic, the lines between social media and technological literacy have become blurred, making it unreasonable for children to cope. We must make conscious and concerted efforts to reclaim time for gaming, reading and other fun activities in children’s lives and ensure that they are able to play games, read and play games, and other fun activities.” schools “They are designed to be implemented,” says Ms. Kirti Sharma, co-executive director of Crimson Schools.

Ms. Reema Rai, Director, AIS, shared similar sentiments, “Social media is unchecked and poses a considerable threat to children. Not only are they spending more time online, but they are also susceptible to real risks of cyberbullying and crimes against children, such as altered photos and more. With AI, social media has become as scary as a dark alley for a child. Considering all that, AustraliaEU policy is a positive step, but a purely political intention is not enough. Driving before the age of 18 is illegal, yet parents give their children cars. What is needed is a more forceful intervention by parents. Social media is a collective social responsibility and must be managed in a social and not merely political way.”

Dr Bindu Sharma, principal of Delhi Public School (GF), also agreed that Australia’s move was positive in a context of increasing impact of social media on children’s growth and development. However, she believes that a balanced approach is needed and a blanket ban may not be the solution.

“Social media affects children’s emotional and social development, contributing to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Excessive screen time is linked to cognitive delays and impaired social skills. Early exposure to inappropriate content can cause psychosocial difficulties and hinder moral development. Moderation and parental supervision are key to managing these risks,” she shared.

However, she insists on educating teenagers rather than banning them from accessing them. She insists that schools should be involved in educating children about the Information Technology Act, safe internet browsing, mental health and digital addiction, as well as cybercrime. “A complete ban on social media for younger children may be a practical measure, but for teenagers a balanced approach is essential. Combining targeted restrictions with education on effective and responsible use of social media allows young people to navigate the digital world safely and benefit from its positive aspects,” she added.

Speaking on the issue, Dominic Tomalin, Founding Principal of Shrewsbury International School India, felt that while the guideline was good, it was not suggested to ban it in India. “It is not just about the digital behaviour of children, but also about child protection. While many may say that behavioural change is not a function of law and restrictions, in the case of children under 16, for whom spending time on social media has become almost a way of life – scrolling through videos of cute cats and quirky dances for hours a day – it is,” he said.

However, she also feels that a “gradual phasing in of restrictions” is important. “This is a critical period of development marked by peer influence and inaugural access to mobile devices. While experts are just beginning to understand the impact of social media on children, a study by Linda Charmaraman, Alicia, Amanda and Jennifer shows that children under 11 who use Instagram and Snapchat are more likely to engage in problematic digital behaviors, such as having online-only friends and visiting sites that parents would disapprove of, as well as a higher likelihood of engaging in online bullying. It is critical to monitor social media use by children under 11, particularly in India, through site monitoring, blocking devices, etc. For centuries now, the law has always tried to catch up with humanity. Therefore, it is imperative to reinforce counseling in schools, parental norms, and alternative outdoor sports practices.”

As for parents, the vote was split. While many parents agreed that there should be a limit, the age of 16 did not generate consensus. “Restricting a child would only make him more creative in finding ways to get around it. Banning is not the solution, but I think educating my child and monitoring social media usage is the best option,” shared Shreya Bannerjee, a mother of two teenagers aged 17 and 13.

Sudhanshu, who works at a leading IT firm, also agreed that the ban may be a good thing, but raised questions about its implementation. “How can it be checked? Even if I imposed an age limit, my child would be able to access my social media account. Now schools have Facebook pages and Instagram pages and ask children to follow them! I work in the sector and would really like to see how it is implemented before commenting on whether it is good or bad. Because without proper implementation, all policies are a waste of time.”

In conclusion, the growing concern over the impact of social media on children is a truth that no one denies. While there is a need to review policies, the time has come for institutions to start taking prudent steps to address these concerns. Meanwhile, Times Now believes that the responsibility also lies with the service providers of these social media channels towards our children. Technology is important and access to it can improve lives, but the responsibility lies with everyone and everyone must participate in it.