Hello Reader!

Australia’s new teen social media ban is a test of how far governments are willing to go in the name of online safety. In an appearance on BBC News live from my Chapman University office, I argued that while the intention to protect young people is laudable, an all‑out ban is “not the right way to go about it” and could even push teens into “worse places than at least potentially highly regulated… tech platforms.”

Content moderation “has always been a balancing act.” Platforms absolutely need stronger, enforceable obligations to act on bad content, systematic violators, and predators. And yes, it would be good if teens spent time playing and socializing outdoors, etc.
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But removing under‑16s completely from mainstream platforms comes at the cost of shutting them out of the positive aspects of social media that can serve as “the community center,” “the playground,” a place for genuine relationships, learning, speech, early entrepreneurial activity/experimentation, etc.
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Social media can be both dangerous and truly valuable. The challenge for policymakers, parents, and platforms is to build guardrails that protect young people without blocking them from the communities and opportunities that increasingly shape and prepare them for modern life.

​Check out my blog where I elaborate further on this topic.

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Have a happy holiday season!

Niklas