We Banned Social Media. Did We Fix Anything?

Australia has made it harder for kids under 16 to have social media accounts.

Good. Online safety matters.

But here's my question.

We tell kids to get off their phones.

And do what?

Go outside? Sure.

Hang out with friends? Where?

At the shopping centre until security asks them to leave?

As a social worker in Melbourne, I think we're missing something.

We want young people to spend less time online, but are we giving them enough reasons to enjoy life offline?

How about more free local activities? Safe places to hang out? Better public transport?

And here's a wild idea. Ask young people what they actually want to do!

Of course, we still need online safety education and stronger accountability for tech companies.

Because banning an app might get kids off a screen.

But it doesn't magically give them somewhere to go.

What do you think?