How Australia became the testing ground for a social media ban for young people

"An American social psychologist, Haidt prescribed a social media ban for those aged under 16 as the solution to the mental health ills he believes are caused by the platforms. In Australia he found a willing test subject. A bumper sticker solution? The ban was considered first by the states. South Australia commissioned a review and then held a summit on the subject in partnership with New South Wales. Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen spoke at day one of the summit, which was held in NSW."

"Following the summit, the federal government faced pressure to implement a national ban rather than having a patchwork of states implementing their own regulations. Less than a year out from the federal election, the then opposition leader, Peter Dutton, made it a signature policy for the Coalition. News Corp went all in, launching the Let Them Be Kids campaign, which coincided with Meta's announcement it would not enter into new deals to pay media companies for news content."

In late 2023 the South Australian premier's wife read Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation and prompted Peter Malinauskas to act. Haidt prescribes a social media ban for those under 16, blaming platforms for youth mental health problems. South Australia commissioned a review and held a summit with New South Wales to consider a ban. Frances Haugen spoke at the summit but described a ban as a "bumper sticker solution," and emails show South Australia was less keen to hear from her. Haidt spoke by video in support of a ban. The proposal spurred federal pressure, partisan adoption by Peter Dutton, and major media campaigning, while the prime minister and a radio host launched a 36 Months campaign to raise the age from 13 to 16.

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