Australia's social media ban has given us a way to fight big tech and get my son back on his skateboard | Sisonke Msimang

"As far as I was concerned, Australia's world-first social media law aimed at preventing children under 16 from accessing social media apps was already a success. But this week, as the ban took effect, my son wasn't so sure. Access to his accounts remained largely unchanged. Many of his friends were in the same position. Across the country, the rollout has been uneven, as social media companies try to work out how to verify kids' ages."

"He encouraged them to spend the school holidays outside or reading, instead of scrolling on their phones. The comments were popular with parents but the PM's TikTok account was spammed by younger people letting him know they were still online. Teenage content creators on social media platforms wasted no time making parody videos about older people's earnest hopes that the ban would make kids go outside and touch grass."

"The jokes tapped into one of my core concerns. I am a gen X parent whose children have come of age in the era of the smartphone. My partner and I monitored screentime with our kids, but we were totally unprepared for the effects technology would have on them. Like many parents, we resent the time and attention big tech companies have stolen from our family and we see the government's move as an opportunity to wrest control back from big, powerful companies."

Australia implemented a world-first social media law aimed at preventing children under 16 from accessing social apps. Rollout has been uneven as platforms work on age verification, leaving many teens' access largely unchanged. The prime minister warned of teething issues and urged children to spend holidays outdoors or reading, while his TikTok was spammed by younger users and teenage creators made parody videos. Parents express relief and resentment toward big tech for stolen family attention and view the ban as a way to reclaim control. The policy has also stirred nostalgia among older generations who desire a return to simpler childhoods.

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