British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans for a social media ban for those under 16 in the UK. Six months have passed since Australia implemented its own restrictions. Supporters claim the rules help shield young people from online risks, while critics say many teenagers continue accessing platforms and enforcement remains challenging. Parents and carers in Australia shared their experiences with the policy. Freya, 44, from Melbourne, views the measure as useful. It provides an additional argument against device overuse for her children aged 12 and 14. She notes it has clarified the risks of social media to her kids and eased family disputes. The effect varies by age, with phones posing greater challenges than tablets. TikTok and Snapchat remain common, yet peer pressure has lessened. She suspects some continued use occurs indirectly. Despite limitations, she considers the law worthwhile as it complicates access even if it does not eliminate the behavior. Boris, father of children aged 11 and 13 in Brisbane, believes the ban has failed due to weak enforcement. Tech-savvy youths bypass restrictions easily, leaving his son feeling excluded from Snapchat. He sees the rules as ineffective and poorly implemented. Simon, from Perth with children aged 12 and 16, supports the policy. His older child encountered social media earlier, while the younger one entered high school under the ban and shows less interest in platforms. Simon expects gradual cultural shifts over time rather than instant results.
