By Jimmy Arch
Evidence of widespread harm is compelling a critical reconsideration after years of touting social media and mobile phones as tools for digital learning and young empowerment.
When the commencement date of Australia’s world-first social media ban for users under 16 approaches, millions of kids and teens will no longer be able to access their accounts.
TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, Twitch, and Threads are among the apps where accounts owned by people under 16 must be deleted starting on December 10, 2025.
Verifying that users are 16 years of age or older is the exclusive responsibility of social media firms. Platforms that violate the rules face fines of up to $49.5 million.
The government claims that in order to shield kids from “predatory algorithms” that flood phone screens with violent, sexual, and bullying content, extraordinary steps are required.
Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister, declared, “Enough is enough.”
It is among the most significant social and cultural shifts that Australia has experienced. “We’ll regain control,” he said.
Kieran Donovan, the CEO and co-founder of the age assurance business k-ID in Australia, reported that his company had performed hundreds of thousands of age checks in recent weeks. Snapchat was among those using the k-ID service.
Two-thirds of respondents are in favor of extending the legal age of social media to 16 years old, according to polls.
The prohibition has attracted international attention, and a number of countries, including Malaysia, Denmark, and Norway, have declared their intention to enact similar laws. A representative for the British government told Reuters that the country was closely monitoring Australia’s approach to age restrictions, while the European Union passed a resolution to impose similar restrictions.
The actual state of Nigerian children’s digital exposure is alarming. Social media has a detrimental effect on young people in Nigeria by causing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem because of social comparison, cyberbullying, and unattainable beauty standards. It also interferes with sleep, encourages addiction, diverts attention from academics, exposes them to inappropriate content or predators, and increases risks when used excessively.
It warps reality, lessens in-person communication, and can result in major problems like suicidal thoughts.
In Nigeria, social media has had a detrimental effect on children’s mental and emotional well-being. Social media addiction in kids has resulted in sleep deprivation and academic problems. Screen usage interferes with sleep patterns, which are crucial for the development of a healthy brain, especially before bed. Productivity is decreased by constant notifications and information streams that divert attention from family time, exercise, and homework.
According to studies, teens’ and young people’s access to social media causes significant distractions, impairs their ability to learn and understand what is being taught in class, and increases their likelihood of cheating on tests. Instructors in both public and private schools lament that pupils are unable to put down their phones long enough to learn.
According to research, social media can encourage worry, fear, social alienation, and the swaying of public opinion.
Youngsters have been exposed to damaging material that encourages risky behavior, eating disorders, or self-harm. Cyberbullying is on the rise and frequently goes undetected because of stigma. Excessive usage of social media can have behavioral and psychological effects, such as anxiety, distraction, and fragmented attention.
Predators take advantage of unregulated online environments, targeting young people and teenagers in particular.
Parents are encouraged by experts to keep their kids off social media until they are at least 16 years old. Restricting usage by minors could lessen their exposure to dangerous material.
Nigeria needs to mentor young people and restrict their exposure to harmful content on social media. Nigeria needs to make sure that the right laws are in place to safeguard children.
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