Bearly Newsworthy: Banning Kids From Social Media Won't Fix a Thing

The Bear argues for tougher action to make social media safer for everyone, rather than imposing a draconian ban on children

Let’s talk about something more dangerous than we’d like to admit. Something always lurking, ready to mess with our lives, influence our thinking and manipulate our minds.

Social media - the very thing you’re probably using to read this right now.

It has its claws deep in us, influencing thoughts, moods, and behaviour. It dictates trends, hijacks attention, shapes opinions, and quietly erodes mental health. It’s not just teenagers; adults, politicians, even Aunt Susan with her wild conspiracy theories are all wading through the same toxic swamp. But instead of tackling the real issues, the Government’s grand “solution” is to consider banning social media for under-16s, with a Minister insisting this week that such a plan was now “on the table”.

As if a quick ban could magically fix everything. Spoiler alert: it won’t.

This proposal is about as effective as a crochet condom. A ban might make for a snappy headline, but it does absolutely nothing to address the real problems at the root of social media. Instead we need accountability and an overhaul of how these platforms operate. Take a look at X, for example (formerly Twitter). It’s turned into a chaotic free-for-all since Musk’s takeover in 2022 – a wild west of misinformation, hate, and harassment – with moderation long gone and nary a block button in sight. Harmful content thrives, and users are left without protection.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

If we’re serious about making social media safer, here’s what we need to do.