Every parent says it really is “that phone,” and honestly, they have a point.
Edited photos, videos, fake promotions and hidden messages rule our world, creating a global issue which now rests in our hands. The second our phones buzz, the lit-up screen captivates our attention. The habit of immediately checking our phones is harmful, but the normalization of this act makes it even more concerning.
Social media not only harms adults, but it also presents substantial problems for children. Today, technology fascinates young children, who spend more time watching videos online than playing outside. This pattern is detrimental to their mental and physical well-being, weakening their ability to form real friendships.
People often use the terms “screenager” and “iPad kid” to label a person who is constantly using technology. Unfortunately, these expressions are said frequently. Underneath these subtle jokes lie harsh truths. We are all addicted to our phones, and social media apps only amplify that reality.
Instead of real-life interactions, completing work, being physically active or even sleeping, many people doomscroll TikTok or Instagram Reels. This habit involves losing track of time while watching videos, letting hours pass by without doing anything “real.”
Australia took notice of this downward spiral and shut the door to social media, protecting kids from this virtual nightmare. The United States should be following their lead. Several government officials have said a similar law would benefit our youth, yet no action has happened. Now, with more evidence and another country already ahead of us, we can only wonder whether the U.S. will ever move forward with real protection.
On Dec. 10, 2025, Australia implemented a new law, the Online Safety Amendment. This act bans kids under 16 years old from having access to social media through their own accounts. Once officials fully enforced the regulation, they deactivated or deleted all social media profiles for those younger than 16 years old, removing 4.7 million accounts.
Children and teenagers in Australia facing the discontinuation of their digital presence have expressed feelings of disappointment, disconnection and boredom.
This law can lead to the limitation of communication and rights, but it now protects those affected from serious issues, like cyberbullying. Social media makes cyberbullying effortless, turning it into a no-confrontation act where all a bully needs is a username. Social media enables bullying without confrontation, and even without needing someone’s phone number.
Importantly, administrations and government officials are finally addressing the concerns social media presents for youth. Unfortunately, these efforts still don’t present solutions for the U.S. or the health and safety of its younger generations.
The U.S. allows those over 13 years old to create a social media account, providing middle-schoolers with freedom to begin their journey of posting, following and “liking.” While this is bad enough, creating an account with a fake birthday is not rocket science.
Social media platforms in the U.S. don’t require proof of age, relying on an honor system. Activity is not monitored, and in a jarring reality, parents often provide very little supervision.
Australia is in a completely different playing field. With the implementation of the Online Safety Amendment, authorities created an enhanced system to verify users’ ages online. This system monitors both age and activity, something the U.S. clearly needs.
A concern about children and teenagers on social media is the insecurity these apps fuel. Users craft every post to get a reaction, and if it falls short, they edit and reshape it to fit the desired image they wish to share online. This isn’t a true reality, and for young viewers, it can be confusing, leading to serious problems as a result of dangerous patterns resulting from social media use.
The concern for youth doesn’t just stop at mental health issues and the correlation to their presence online. In fact, it goes much deeper. Catfishing, the act of pretending to be someone else online and hiding one’s true identity, targets particularly vulnerable children. The potential results include sharing personal information or forming connections that aren’t real, often leaving children unsure of who to trust. Recognizing these risks, Australia has shown how limiting social media access can close off one of the easiest pathways for catfishing to reach youth.
No matter how those of us in Generation Z grew up with social media, it is far more harmful today than it once was. We need to protect the youth online through social media parameters, and we are already behind by not taking immediate action after Australia.
Aleni Bender is a sophomore studying organizational communication at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Aleni about her column? Email/tweet her at ab285023@ohio.edu/@aleni_bender
