February 2025

The Great Debate: Is Banning Social Media the Right Way to Go?

In the digital age technology continues to evolve, particularly in the field of social media. It seems that new platforms are constantly springing up, with controls and options available to users that change daily. Social media was revolutionary when it first appeared in the late 1990s. Now, it’s part of the fabric of many people’s lives. “Digital Natives” have not known a world without it.

And yet social media use and abuse continues to spark widespread debate and anxiety in the press and the corridors of power. On 21 November 2024, Australia’s federal government introduced controversial legislation to ban children under 16 from creating social media accounts, even if guardians consented. This knee-jerk reaction made headlines around the world - Australia is the first democratic country to take such a hard-line approach.

The legislation amends the Online Safety Act and defines the entities under its remit as age-restricted platforms which enable users to interact socially with each other and post material online. This includes the major players in social media like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as lesser ones. Exemptions are made for online gaming platforms, messaging apps like Signal, and services which support the health and education of users, such as Google Classroom. Failing to take “all reasonable steps” to deny access to under-16s now costs companies dearly: they face almost 50 million AUD in fines. The bill is vague about how they are supposed to do this, beyond specifying that platforms will use some type of age-verification technology.

But is the under-16s social media ban effective and fit for purpose? What are the ramifications?

To answer these questions, it’s vital to consider the context in which the ban came about. What led Albanese’s government to make this decision? What does the new legislation aim to achieve?

The Context of Australia’s Federal Social Media Ban

The federal government’s reaction comes from a place of fear caused by the rise of rapidly evolving, popular, and ubiquitous technology. History shows that this is nothing new – remember when experts warned that TV would turn kids into couch potatoes and make them less intelligent? Or when women were told not to read novels because they would overexert themselves and cause nervous strain? These observations reflected people’s fear of the unknown and were backed by scant, or at best dubious evidence. Such information was circulated, reflected, and reinforced by the media, whether these claims were well-founded or otherwise. At the end of the day, fear, anxiety, division, and doom pull in readers and believers.

The federal ban is a response to and consequence of the popular view that social media and the invention of the smart phone are a major cause of the decline of young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The under-16 social media ban supports this tenuous causal link - indeed, it is the prohibition’s raison d’être.   

This link can be traced back to popular psychology books. These include works like

• Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, published in March last year. and
• Jean Twenge’s 2017 treatise iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy — and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood — and What That Means for the Rest of Us.

Fear and anxiety are a great draw. Moreover, the under-16s Federal ban was influenced by a campaign called 36 Months which endorses this causal link – the key tenet of the above texts.

This federal legislation was also influenced by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauska’s plans to fine platforms that fail to deny access to South Australians aged 13 or under. Under the South Australian legislation, 14 and 15-year-olds require parental consent to access platforms. This crackdown on social media was also influenced by British company News Corp’s “Let Them Be Kids” campaign coverage. This focused on young social media users who tragically committed suicide as a result of cyber bullying.

Depression and anxiety among young people is on the rise.  Some population-based studies indicate that over a third of young Australians currently have a diagnosable mental health issue. Mental health issues among Australian kids have doubled over the past 10 years, mirroring the global decline in mental health. This is a legitimate concern.

However, whether social media is the root or sole cause of mental health decline is questionable. Firstly, limited research exists on the effects of social media, whether negative or positive on the young – many academics agree that more research needs to be done. Secondly, and crucially, most existing research is inconclusive and flawed, relying on self reporting mechanisms and revealing biases. Currently, there is scant evidence available to support the idea that reducing social media use improves mental health.

Alarmingly, despite an open letter signed by over 120 experts from Australia and overseas, PM Anthony Albanese, state and territory ministers went ahead with proposed bans. According to news outlet Crikey, the South Australian and New South Wales government summit convened to explore the impact of social media on the young, presented a biased and skewed view of the supposed negative impacts. Rather than encouraging objective exploration of the issue, the conference was purposefully arranged to generate support for the ban.

Putting aside the dubious evidence base, arguments for the ban focus almost exclusively on potential negative effects of social media, while overlooking the positives. Let’s restore the balance.

The Benefits of Social Media for Kids

Enabling Connection, Friendships, and Socialising

Keeping in touch with friends and having opportunities to nurture relationships is vital for good mental health. Platforms allow young people to share interests with others, explore their personality and identity, and have some control over how they are seen by others. Many gain confidence and independence by using platforms to facilitate this.

A Safe Space for Marginalised Groups

 Platforms provide forums for LGBTIQ+ youth to express themselves. This is particularly important if they grow up in a repressive culture where they are not allowed to express what they feel or think elsewhere. This is especially true for trans youth, who can use these forums to find support if they are abandoned by their parents or communities and find out more about what being trans means for them. Research published in 2022 explored how social media could provide this safe space and potentially improve mental health and wellbeing for LGBTIQ+ communities. Taking away this lifeline would increase mental health risks.

Social media is used by culturally diverse youth to meet people from similar backgrounds, celebrate cultural identities, share stories, and organise events. Additionally, it helps young people from regional and rural areas feel less geographically isolated.

Young people can with connect other family members through private social media groups

Opportunities to maintain family connections will be denied through this ban, even if families want to create a closed group to share photos or intimate information with people who live in different areas or households. This is an overreach by the government.

Thankfully, my age means that I’m not affected by the ban, but as a young person with a lot of family overseas, using social media was a great way to keep in contact, and I would be angry if this was taken away by a paternalistic government.

Using social media is a crucial skill in today’s workplace

Many employers expect jobseekers to have in-depth knowledge of social media platforms and messaging apps, because they are used in the workplace – think of LinkedIn.

Banning these platforms for young, impressionable kids means delaying conversations about cybersafety, how to control what you see and who you communicate with online, how you ban users from platforms who are abusive or threatening, and how you create a good impression using social media for potential employers.

People who are unable to access social media sites now under the ban will eventually access them in the future and be less prepared to do so in a safe and responsible way because they are inexperienced. This is before considering careers such as YouTube content creator or social media account manager which rely on having extensive knowledge of the platforms.

Many young people use platforms to create positive change in our communities

Denying young people the right to use social media as a tool to have their say and make positive change is a terrible downside. In my view it’s patronising – the government is saying “you can’t be trusted to protect yourselves, so we’ll step in.”

A high proportion of young people know more about online safety than older generations. They are moderators on forums and know how to ban people, create discussion boards, and report abuse or threats.

For those that don’t know what they’re doing on social media or the risks they run, how will you teach them if they can’t access social media at all? Moreover, denying them this right is infringing on children’s human rights according to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Indeed, the Commission has expressed “reservations” about the ban and the number of human rights which are violated as a result.

Access to Information and Learning

Adolescents can connect with potential mentors and employers using social media.

Platforms allow young people to learn about the world around them and facilitate educational opportunities. A 2024 Pew Research Report indicated that almost 40% of respondents under 30 in the US regularly use TikTok as a new source. As with any source, issues of credibility and bias arise. However, if young people can’t access social media, how can they learn to critically assess what they read?

Social Media Interventions/Programs Reduce Depression and Anxiety in Teens

Studies indicate that programs on social media to treat anxiety and depression can be effective in reducing its severity.

What About the Dangers?

They are not Limited to the Under sixteens

All this doesn’t negate the reality that online spaces can be dangerous for young people, particularly if they are unschooled in the dangers and challenges of navigating social media. This ban will actually make young people less safe, denying them the experience of social media and learning about how to remain safe and in control of personal information. They will access social media at some point and won’t know how to use privacy controls or how to report abusive behaviour on platforms.

The ban is designed to protect adolescents from dangers that young and old users of social media may encounter. These include the following:

Cyberbullying

Research conducted by the e-safety Commissioner, Julie Grant, indicates that almost half of Australian children have experienced some form of online bullying. The question is how to educate children not only not to participate in it, but also to handling it should it happen to them.

Sexual Exploitation

Unfortunately, online predators exist and young people themselves have produced sexually explicit, AI-altered images to bully others.

Identity Theft and Data Security

Personal details of users can be appropriated, sold to advertising companies, misused, or leaked online. In any social media scenario, educating users of all ages about how to retain control and ownership of data (including how to access how their data is used, and opt out where possible) is paramount.

Anxiety due to Social Media Addiction

A 2022 study which interviewed teens showed that some users find the constant stream of notifications on platforms anxiety-inducing There is a concern that passive scrolling habits were taking time away from healthier activities. It bears repeating however that one child’s experience of social media can be significantly different from another and so simplistic conclusions and repressive methods like general bans arguably do more harm than good.

Exposure to violence, pornography, radicalisation and harmful content

Young terrorists are groomed on social media platforms. Violence and pornography are there for the taking. However, like other forms of media, social media is a tool which can be used for good or ill. Teaching everyone, including young people, how to avoid these potential dangers is surely more beneficial than a blanket ban which won’t protect them indefinitely.

Whilst education of users and regulation of social media spaces is vital to minimise the downsides of social media, this undoubtedly requires a more nuanced approach than a blanket ban.

Next month Dive into Part 2 to learn about potential alternatives to the ban. Explore how schools can help keep platform users safe and find out more about social media addiction in the next instalment!

Bibliography

“Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s in Australia.” Australian Human Rights Commission. 21 November 2024.

Angus, Daniel. “The government has introduced laws for its social media ban. But key details are still missing.” The Conversation: Australian edition. 21 November 2024.

Blake, Julie, and James Scott. “Opinion: Banning social media won’t fix Australia’s youth mental health crisis.” University of Queensland UQ News. 7 January 2025.

Bovill, Monte. “Australian survey finds regular use of social media harming teenagers' life satisfaction.” ABC News. 10 September 2024.

Broadley, Andrew. “Research news: Students, smartphones and the ‘privacy paradox.’” Teacher Magazine. 28 November 2024.

Evans, Jake. “Teens already on social media could be exempt from a ban under an option canvassed by Anthony Albanese.” ABC News. 4 October 2024.

Evans, Jake. “YouTube, TikTok and Meta are all in the firing line for children to be banned from their platforms. Here's what we know.” ABC News. 10 September 2024.

French, Robert. “Report of the independent legal examination into banning children’s access to social media.” Government of South Australia. 9 September 2024.

Given, M., Lisa. “Australian kids under 16 will soon be banned from social media – but parents still don’t know which apps are out.” The Conversation: Australian edition. 7 November 2024.

Given, M., Lisa. “The government’s social media ban for kids will exempt ‘low-risk’ platforms. What does that mean?” The Conversation: Australian edition. 11 October 2024.

Given, M., Lisa. “South Australia is proposing a law to ban kids under 14 from social media. How would it work?” The Conversation: Australian edition. 9 September 2024.

Hickey-Moody, Anna, and Lizzie Maughan. “Trans youth are already among Australia’s most marginalised people. The social media ban could make this worse.” The Conversation: Australian edition. 29 November 2024.

Johns, Amelia. “Culturally diverse teens greatly benefit from social media – banning it would cause harm.” The Conversation: Australian edition. 24 June 2024.

Landau, Sophie and Daniel Keane. “Social media bans discussed in classrooms as TikTok reveals a million underage accounts were 'removed' from platform.” ABC News. 9 October 2024.

Lim, Josephine. “A plan to ban social media for children is on the horizon, but what can parents do in the meantime?” ABC News. 27 September 2024.

Long, Claudia. “Social media ban for children to be introduced this year, but age limit undetermined.” ABC News. 9 September 2024.

Long, Claudia. “First reports of children using AI to bully their peers using sexually explicit generated images, eSafety commissioner says.” ABC News. 16 August 2023.

Long, Claudia. ”Children easily bypassing age verification online, putting them at risk of abuse, eSafety commissioner says.” ABC News. 5 September 2023.

Meyerkort, Shannon. “The social media ban for under 16s: What it means for Australian schools.” SchoolNews Australia. 26 November 2024.

Meyerowitz-Katz, Gideon, and Matthew B. Jané. “Governments are pushing teen social media bans – but behind the scenes is a messy fight over science.” The Conversation: Australian edition. 8 November 2024.

Orlando, Joanne. “We know social media bans are unlikely to work. So how can we keep young people safe online?” The Conversation: Australian edition. 25 June 2024.

 Rodriguez, Aleesha, Michael Dezuanni, and Tama Leaver. “Social media bans distract from the real issue.“ Digital Child. 24 July 2024.

Author
Estelle Borrey
PhD in European Languages and Cultures.

Does Your School Washroom Have Odour Issues?

School washrooms are infamous for unpleasant odours, which can negatively impact the overall hygiene environment for students and staff. To maintain a clean, odour-free environment, it is essential to address the root cause of the problem and ensure effective cleaning. One innovative approach that schools can adopt is using microbial cleaning solutions, particularly those from Enviroplus. But before we dive into how microbial cleaning works, let’s take a closer look at the causes of washroom odours and why traditional cleaning methods might fall short.

What Causes Washroom Odours?

Washroom odours typically originate from bacteria, urine, sweat, and other organic matter accumulating in washrooms. Poor washroom ventilation and high usage further intensify these issues in schools.

The main culprits behind the persistent bad bathroom smells are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by bacteria as they break down organic waste. These VOCs are responsible for the lingering, often pungent odours in bathrooms, particularly around urinals and toilets. Inadequate cleaning practices can allow these bacteria to thrive in hard-to-reach bathroom places, contributing to persistent smells.

Why Traditional Cleaning Might Not Be Working

Traditional cleaning methods primarily use chemical disinfectants and strong fragrances to mask odours rather than eliminate the source. While these methods can provide a temporary solution, they often fail to penetrate the layers where odour-causing bacteria hide. Additionally, harsh chemical cleaners can damage surfaces over time, creating micro-abrasions that become breeding grounds for bacteria. As a result, the odours return soon after cleaning, requiring frequent reapplication of cleaning agents, which increases maintenance efforts and costs without addressing the root cause of the problem.

Replacing traditional technologies with biotechnological alternatives requires extensive research and innovation to achieve superior performance whilst lowering hazards and improving user safety. Only by developing a successful synergistic blend can you improve product performance, improve safety and health, lower cost in use, lower impacts on the environment, eradicate of odours at the source and provide a residual cleaning effect offering a deeper, cleaner and longer-term clean thorough our microbe-based cleaners.

How Microbes Work: The Power of 4th Generation Cleaning

Microbe-based products fully break down organic soiling, reduce odours at the source, and reach areas not easily reached by traditional cleaners. They ultimately provide a residual long-term cleaning effect that better preserves the freshly cleaned condition for longer. This gives customers a differentiated solution from their competitors and potentially more significant financial savings due to quicker maintenance cleans.

The microbes contained within the cleaning products are present as spores that germinate when the product is used in its intended cleaning environments. The bacteria multiply by dividing themselves, allowing them to colonise the application area exponentially. The bacteria secrete enzymes that are not alive but function to speed up biological reactions required for the bacteria to break down organic matter effectively.

Enzymes help to break down complex molecules into simpler, smaller molecules, which allows bacteria to more easily take these into their cells and use them for energy and growth, which is crudely how they “feed.” Different types of enzymes are responsible for helping to break down different types of organic matter and can be selected to target specific types of soiling.

By carefully formulating microbe strains and combinations of strains specifically designed to target soiling in the intended cleaning environment, Enviroplus microbial-based products provide a superior, long-lasting clean that is better for health and the environment.

Microbial cleaners offer significant advantages over usual traditional chemical methods:

Long-lasting effect:

Unlike traditional chemical cleaners, microbes continue working, providing a deeper, longer-lasting clean through the creation of self-renewing. By carefully formulating microbe strains and combinations of strains specifically designed to target soiling in the intended cleaning environment, Enviroplus microbial-based products provide a superior, long-lasting clean, which is better for health and the environment.

Lower toxicity:

Microbial cleaners are lower-toxicity and environmentally safer, effective in helping reduce students' and staff's exposure to harmful chemicals.

Enviroplus Washroom Solutions

Enviroplus offers a range of washroom cleaning products that harness the power of microbes to create cleaner, fresher environments. Enviroplus products are designed to provide long-lasting, effective odour control and deep cleaning for schools looking to adopt this innovative approach. Some of the top products to consider include:

e-Washroom X: Bathroom Cleaner

• Cleans, refreshes and eliminates organic waste build-up
• Deodorises by eliminating the source of bad odours
• Readily biodegradable formulations containing active microbes
• Effectively provides wetting, penetrating, soil cutting and anti-redepositing

e-Flush: Toilet bowl, Urinal Cleaner and Deodoriser

• Reduces build-up of uric acid
• Formulated with active microbes
• Readily biodegradable
• Biosystem and septic-safe cleaner
• Utilises the power of active microbes to eliminate odours

Certified Products

e-Washroom X and e-Flush have GECA and Global GreenTag certifications. 

The GECA ecolabel is a sign of trust for specifiers, consumers, procurement teams, and business owners. It allows consumers to have confidence in their purchasing decisions and trust GECA-certified products to be healthier, safer, and better for the environment. 

Green Tag™ is a third-party, green building product rating and certification system underpinned by rigorous scientific and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) processes.

The Green Tag™ ecolabel rating positions a product at the top end of the green product market, enabling manufacturers to fully communicate the work they have undertaken to improve their products' ecological and health benefits for the first time.

These certifications align with our long-term vision to empower the community by ensuring its health, protecting its natural environment, and responsibly using resources.

Indigenous Literacy Foundation

In addition to our products being certified, Abco is a major supporter of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and does our part to give children in remote Communities across Australia access to more books and learning resources.

When you buy selected Enviroplus products, including e-Washroom X and e-Flush, a portion of our profits is donated to ILF. This donation funds books and learning resources for children in remote Indigenous Communities across Australia. As of 2024, Abco has donated $350,000, supporting Communities with 35,000 books.

About Enviroplus

Enviroplus is an Australian cleaning brand leveraging the power of biotechnology and low-toxicity alternatives to formulate high-performing products that are easier on the environment and healthier at work.

Enviroplus is on a mission to improve the cleaning industry. From our independently certified products and cleaning tools to our social initiatives and education, we help organisations reach ESG goals. For more information, visit their website and explore how they can support your facility's cleaning needs.

In addition to washroom solutions, Enviroplus offers a range of bins and bin liners, floor and hard surfaces, heavy-duty, kitchen, and paper solutions.

To learn more about Enviroplus, visit: https://enviroplusproducts.com.au/

Author
Shane Gilchrist
Group Marketing Manager