Social media has become a toxic breeding ground for bullying, misogyny and radicalization that's overwhelming mental health services with damaged young people. Kids can now access the most extreme content with zero barriers, unlike the old days when sneaking into an R-rated movie took real effort. Australia's bold move to ban social media for under-16s deserves serious consideration as a radical solution to protect children from this increasingly antisocial digital nightmare.
Over 14,000 young people made it crystal clear that blanket social media bans don't work and would just drive kids into darker, unregulated corners of the internet. What young people actually need is supportive adults who can guide them through the digital world, not heavy-handed restrictions that ignore their voices and real experiences.
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