Australia is banning social media for children 16 and under – but will it actually keep them safe or only spark new problems?

In this episode, hosts David Karsten and Celeste Fourie are joined by Professor Tama Leaver, Professor of Internet Studies at Curtin University, to discuss Australia’s proposed ban on social media for children under 16.

We explore what the Ban aims to achieve, who it will affect, and whether it could reshape the relationship between government and big tech.

The discussion also ventures into what social media will look like when the ban comes into play, and how AI is creating a new internet for the next generation.

The ban: Purpose, platforms and rollout [01:15]
Consultation and youth input [04:40]
How social platforms shape teens’ social lives [06:20]
Will the ban protect young people? [11:12]
Generative AI and youth [16:30]
Industry and global response [22:00]
Digital literacy and misinformation [16:50]
The path forward: advice on supporting teens as the ban takes effect [33:10]

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Connect with our guests

Professor Tama Leaver, Professor of Internet Studies at Curtin University

Tama is a regular media commentator, Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child and former president of the Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR).

Follow Tama on LinkedIn

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This podcast is brought to you by Curtin University. Curtin is a global university known for its commitment to making positive change happen through high-impact research, strong industry partnerships and practical teaching.

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Transcript

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Behind the scenes

Hosts: Celeste Fourie and David Karsten

Content Creators: Zoe Taylor and Caitlin Crowley

Recordist: Caitlin Crowley

Producer: Emilia Jolakoska

Executive Producers: Anita Shore and Natasha Weeks

First Nations Acknowledgement

Curtin University acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the First Peoples of this place we call Australia, and the First Nations peoples connected with our global campuses. We are committed to working in partnership with Custodians and Owners to strengthen and embed First Nations’ voices and perspectives in our decision-making, now and into the future.

Curtin University supports academic freedom of speech. The views expressed in The Future Of podcast may not reflect those of Curtin University.