Business Daily (BBC World Service)
Episode: The Cost of Australia’s Social Media Ban
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Ed Butler
Featured Guests: Katie Watson, Lucas Lane, Mark & Tina Harris, Annika Wells, Momu Bayed, Bruce Daisley
Overview
This episode examines Australia’s pioneering new law banning social media use by children under age 16. The government touts the ban as an overdue intervention to protect young people’s mental health, but it is divisive—praised by parents and regulators, criticized by teens, civil libertarians, content creators, and tech companies. Host Ed Butler explores the practical, legal, and business implications of the ban, and asks whether Australia’s policy could set a precedent for regulation worldwide.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background and Rationale for the Ban
- Policy Introduction:
- Australia is the first country to ban social media access for anyone under 16. Major platforms—including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook—must now block younger users.
- The government says this is necessary after years of tech companies failing to self-police against harms such as anxiety, self-image disorders, and cyberbullying.
- Quote (Annika Wells, Communications Minister, 03:27):
“You can't out parent an algorithm. This is giving parents another weapon in their arsenal.”
2. Youth Perspective and Pushback
- Teens in Adelaide Voice Concerns:
- Many see the ban as pointless and believe tech-savvy kids will circumvent it.
- Fears include loss of a vital channel for communication, self-expression, and learning.
- Some teens are challenging the ban in court, arguing it infringes on freedom of speech.
- Quote (13-year-old, 04:01):
“No matter how hard they try, people are always going to find a way around it.”
3. Implementation, Limitations, and Loopholes
- How The Ban Works:
- Platforms are required to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts (Margaret, 04:42).
- Companies face fines up to AU$50 million (~US$33 million) for violations.
- Enforcement challenges acknowledged: it’s unclear how effective age verification will be, and young people may move rapidly to new, unregulated platforms.
- Notably, the ban does not cover gaming platforms.
- Margaret, on enforcement (05:39):
“Many a person has told me... it’s basically a game of whack-a-mole.”
4. Business Impact: Content Creators and Entrepreneurs React
- Mark & Tina Harris (Lala YouTube channel, 1.4M subscribers):
- Confused and concerned by YouTube being classified as “social media.”
- Argue their educational content is being unfairly targeted—loss of young viewers could devastate their channel.
- Point out that requiring account deletion removes parental oversight tools and personalized safeguards.
- Mark Harris (09:26):
“In YouTube’s situation, accounts are actually where the protections and safeguards are... The algorithm knows not to send [kids] certain kinds of content.”
- Lucas Lane (16-year-old entrepreneur, Glossy Boys):
- Describes social media as essential for self-discovery, community, and launching a business.
- Advocates for working with platforms to regulate content, not ban access entirely.
- Lucas Lane (08:52):
“Social media let me find who I was... and let me connect to other people and let me create a business that was inclusive.”
5. Global Context: Are Other Countries Next?
- Comparisons Made:
- France requires parental consent for social media users under 15; a full ban is under discussion.
- South Korea bans mobile device use in classrooms.
- Iceland is considering raising its minimum age for social media to 15.
- Malaysia may introduce similar laws in 2026.
- Momu Bayed (15:06):
“It’s on every country’s mind right now... if there are negative effects... regulation comes into play.”
6. Technology and Legal Hurdles
- Implementation Challenges:
- Reliable age verification is technically difficult; ideas include device-level age-controlled access, facial scanning, or government ID, all of which have privacy and practicality concerns.
- Legal challenges are underway, focusing on free expression rights.
- Bruce Daisley (15:36):
“The most effective way... would be to legislate and ensure that platforms baked in age verification... Either the app can scan your face is one of the suggestions, or most young people don’t necessarily have government ID...”
7. Corporate and Social Responsibility
- Regulatory Precedents:
- The advertising industry and other sectors already face restrictions for child protection; social media may be following suit.
- Holding Executives Accountable:
- Australia previously threatened local platform execs with legal liability (e.g., following the Christchurch mass shooting), which forced rapid industry compliance.
- Bruce Daisley (17:34):
“Nothing mobilizes an organization more quickly than thinking that the local boss is going to go to prison.”
8. Will It Work, and Will Others Follow?
- Many Australians (especially parents) support strong measures.
- Critics doubt the practicality and worry about consequences such as kids seeking out riskier, less-regulated spaces, or losing opportunities for positive online engagement and even career development.
- Policy Ripple Effects:
- These efforts may inspire similar regulation elsewhere, as governments grapple with digital wellbeing and youth safety.
- Bruce Daisley (19:15):
“I suspect these sort of controls... will prove to be one of those ideas that’s quite contagious.”
- Momu Bayed (19:37):
“What are the positive effects of the ban? [Other bans] produced reformulations and positive market changes.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Annika Wells, Communications Minister (03:27):
“You can't out parent an algorithm. This is giving parents another weapon in their arsenal.”
-
Teenager in Adelaide (04:01):
“I think it’s pointless... no matter what, how hard they try, people are always going to find a way around it.”
-
Mark Harris, Lala YouTube (09:26):
“By saying all of these platforms must get rid of these accounts... In YouTube’s situation, accounts are actually where the protections and safeguards are.”
-
Lucas Lane, Glossy Boys (08:52, 10:23):
“Social media let me find who I was... For me, social media has been a big opportunity in expressing myself.”
-
Momu Bayed, Veridu (15:06, 18:41):
“It’s on every country’s mind right now... I definitely sense [global] appetite for change.”
-
Bruce Daisley, Former Twitter/YouTube Exec (15:36, 19:15):
“Having your operating system know your age... would be the most effective way.”
“These sorts of controls... are quite contagious if people see positive outcomes.”
Key Timestamps for Segments
- [01:11] Episode introduction, context of Australia’s social media ban
- [02:14] Statement from PM Anthony Albanese
- [03:27] Communications Minister Annika Wells explains government’s rationale
- [04:01] Adelaide teenagers critique the ban
- [04:42] Margaret details how platforms must comply and enforce
- [07:24] Creators/businesses share impact on channels and business
- [08:52] Lucas Lane discusses social media’s role in self-discovery
- [14:21] Global context: how other countries are considering similar moves
- [15:06] Industry and expert perspectives (Momu Bayed, Bruce Daisley)
- [17:34] Legal accountability & policy effectiveness
- [19:15] Policy’s likely ripple effects and lessons from other regulatory efforts
Conclusion
Australia’s under-16 social media ban is seen as both a bold step in youth safeguarding and a contentious experiment in digital regulation. While government and many parents hail it as overdue, business leaders and young people warn of unintended consequences and challenge its effectiveness. As court battles begin and other nations watch closely, this Australian policy may serve as a test case for digital youth policy worldwide.