Australia just made history—first country on the planet to actually ban social media for anyone under 16. Not guidelines. Not recommendations. A full ban.



Michael Wipfli, the guy behind 36 Months, has been pushing for this hard. He sat down recently and broke down exactly why he thinks this move matters. His take? Kids need protection from algorithmic feeds before their brains are even ready to handle them.

Whether you agree or not, it's a massive shift in how governments might start treating digital platforms going forward.
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
  • Reward
  • 5
  • Repost
  • Share
Comment
0/400
memecoin_therapyvip
· 2025-12-12 22:17
The generation fed by algorithms is really quite unfortunate, but will bans be effective... --- Australia is taking serious action this time. I bet five bucks that someone will break their defenses within six months. --- Honestly, it's a bit outrageous that kids' brains haven't fully developed yet and are being tamed by algorithms. --- Bans sound tough, but how to enforce them is a problem. Anyway, I don't believe in them. --- Minors' mental resilience is indeed fragile, but they can learn to be bad guys without social media, haha. --- Michael Wipfli, whether he's right or wrong, is beside the point. But governments willing to take real action are indeed rare. --- It feels like the ban is too late; the brains that needed to be destroyed are already ruined. Is it still effective now? --- A blanket ban on anyone under sixteen—I understand that logic. But trying to cover everything won't solve the problem either. --- The ones that should be broken are those platforms that attract minors. --- Australia is pretty tough. I don't know how they plan to enforce this thing.
View OriginalReply0
AirdropF5Brovip
· 2025-12-09 23:09
If it’s banned, it’s banned. Kids playing on social media get their brains fried anyway. --- This move by Australia is really harsh, but can it be done here at home? That’s wishful thinking. --- Algorithms are killing childhood, it’s about time someone did something. --- Social media banned for under 16? I bet five bucks it’ll never be enforced. --- Kids watching short videos all day really do turn out mentally messed up... Australia’s move is solid. --- With the ban coming, black market account sellers are probably going to make a killing again. --- Wipfli is right, being brainwashed by algorithms during brain development is scary. --- A total ban sounds easy, but actually doing it? How would you even implement it technically? --- I just want to know how Australia will verify this. Wouldn’t a VPN get around it? --- Protecting kids’ minds is right, but how long this policy lasts is questionable. --- Are governments finally realizing platforms are toxic? Took them long enough.
View OriginalReply0
UnluckyLemurvip
· 2025-12-09 23:08
Banning it is useless, kids can still use VPNs to get around it. This is a classic case of "I'll decide for you." --- Honestly, Australia's move is harsh, but technically it can't really be controlled... Check out VPNs. --- I agree that kids' brains aren't fully developed and need protection, but can it really be banned? Question mark. --- Algorithmic feeds are definitely toxic, but banning it for everyone under 16 seems way too absolute. --- How anxious does a government have to be to do something like this... Kind of overreacting. --- Australia: I'm banning social media for those under 16. 16-year-old kid: Okay, dad, I'll just go surf the dark web now. --- The real issue isn't the platform, it's the parents and education. What's the point of just banning it? --- Finally, a government dares to take real action. Let's see how long they can keep it up. --- Algorithms do manipulate people, kids can't defend themselves, so I support the ban. --- This is a classic "I don't know how to manage it, so I'll just ban it" approach... and then what?
View OriginalReply0
Hash_Banditvip
· 2025-12-09 23:08
ngl australia just yeeted the entire social media industrial complex out the window... hard ban hits different when governments actually mean it. wonder how long before the mining pools of lobbying cash start flowing back 💀
Reply0
BlockchainArchaeologistvip
· 2025-12-09 22:51
Australia is really bold... But seriously, can a ban really stop kids? They can just change their age and keep playing. The algorithm thing is indeed toxic, but having the government regulate it... hmm, once that door is opened, what comes next? Web3's decentralized solution is actually more interesting—decentralization of power vs. parental control, choosing the lesser of two evils.
View OriginalReply0
  • Pin

Trade Crypto Anywhere Anytime
qrCode
Scan to download Gate App
Community
  • 简体中文
  • English
  • Tiếng Việt
  • 繁體中文
  • Español
  • Русский
  • Français (Afrique)
  • Português (Portugal)
  • Bahasa Indonesia
  • 日本語
  • بالعربية
  • Українська
  • Português (Brasil)