I think it’s really up to the parents if their child can go on social media or not. It’s a situation where you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

Are people that stupid of course it will back fire with a big Bang

I think it’s a great idea but would be very hard to enforce as many parents will just let them anyway, changing birthdates etc.

I think this would provide a really solid basis for a lot of parents who are struggling around social media.

Kids will always find a way. It needs to start with the parents

The ban will not stop kids getting onto social media. Education needs to start at home.

So hard, it’s become part of life, but it does start at home with the parents. Parents need to be ontop of things and also show at home you don’t need to be on the phone. Time will tell.

I agree that the effect of social media on young children can be devastating and negative. I’m sceptical about how a ban could work though, there will always be kids who succeed to break the rules and access social media despite a ban

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 14 Sep 2024 , 7:26 am

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  We had all social media blocked by my foster child, but she was able to break all bans and rules (at home at school and out in the community).

It will also be up to parents to enforce this. It will be hard to do so, because parents show such a terrible example of using phones all throughout the day.

Sadly, whatever they put in place to stop kids having access, there’s ways round them. It’s good they want to try, but I dont think it’ll work

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 16 Sep 2024 , 7:38 am

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  Yes I totally agree. Certainly when kids enter the teenage years they tend to like to break the rules (at least some of them do).

In all honesty, I think it’s a great thing, however, parents will need to be vigilant to enforce it as kids will just lie about their age. So many parents give their children a phone from too young of an age these days when they are not at the maturity level to be responsible.
As to comments about minority groups and being able to connect, there will always be methods to do this. They can create special aps or messenger kids can be used. The point here is protecting kids from bullying online which is a huge problem. I have not allowed my kids aged 9 and 12 to have access to social media as yet and I intend to respect the guidelines, however, other parents at my kid’s school obviously do let their kids use it as I have had letters sent home multiple times reminding parents to be watchful of what their kids are doing online. It’s obviously a problem that needs to be dealt with.

My kids use messenger kids to talk to their friends. It’s so much safer than most social media apps but they aren’t “isolated”

Having worked in the telecommunications industry for 15 years I’ve seen from the beginning what social media has done to kids and families over the years!! The stories I’ve been told by worried mums coming into stores wanting the telco to limit their child’s phone and what they can and can’t access because of horrible things that have happened to their children on social media, it’s just horrible and I am completely for this change as a mum myself my kids won’t have social media until the age of 16

Restrictions should be in place to protect the vulnerable.

Kids need to be restricted as not all kids are mature or ready for the social platforms. Don’t get me wrong, I have met some very responsible young tweens/teens when it comes to social media platforms, however, majority of kids are not ready for it.
Kids needs to focus of being a child and focus on the real world in front of them.
The only issue is, banning it now, kids with addiction to socials, could not mentally accept it.

I think there would be more benefits than negatives.

Although I agree that social media can have a negative impact, I’m sceptical if a ban will help. There will always be kids who like to break the rules and get their way around things.

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 11 Sep 2024 , 7:40 am

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  One of my foster children (diagnosed with CD, RAD and behavioral issues) made a Tiktok account on the iPad of some kids where she had a playdate at age 8 ! And later whilst we had blocked Instagram and facebook on her devices she made her Facebook- and Instagram accounts on devices of peers. It’s easy to falsify personal details in order to make an account

This is long overdue and it will be interesting to follow the implementation.

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  • • mom486197 replied
    • 11 Sep 2024 , 11:49 am

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  It sure is, the amount of cyber bullying and articles that are just too advance for kids to see is ridiculous and needs to be limited. They are too young to see half the stuff they see on social media.

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    • • mom93821 replied
      • 12 Sep 2024 , 4:23 am

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    I agree; it is a very difficult area for children to navigate and bullying can be so damaging to the development of young minds.

Although I fully support and endorse the ban, I cannot see how we can force the media behemoths to do the right thing when the rest of the world has been unable to do so. Do hope it works though

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 12 Sep 2024 , 7:50 am

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  Yes I agree with you

I completely support this ban! Children do not understand the implications of their actions in real life let alone on social media. I don’t know if it would work but children need less social media and far less technology!

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  • • mom486197 replied
    • 11 Sep 2024 , 11:51 am

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  Agree – Children do need less social media – they spend so much time on it creating videos and trying to show themselves off etc. They should be out enjoying being a kid and experiencing things that aren’t on their ipads or phones. I hope this works and we do see kids using social media less often.