The Australian government has now banned social media for under-16s. In theory, this isn’t a bad idea. After all, given the risks of cyberbullying, extremist rabbit holes, unrealistic beauty standards, predators, and other dangers, it probably makes sense to limit children’s use of these platforms. But there is no doubt in my mind that for some people, especially those from certain marginalized groups, the sudden loss of access to social media will do more harm than good. And I hope those people know the following: VPNs.
When I was a teenager (long before the best VPNs were invented), I was extremely anxious and socially awkward (according to almost everyone I’ve ever met, probably due to my neurodiversity). I found it difficult to make friends in person, so I had a lot of internet friends to chat with. Not only was it a big part of my social life back then, but one of the friends I made online back then is still one of my best friends. Later, when I went to college, the first friends I made there were the first people I talked to through a Facebook group designed to help freshmen get to know each other. Without social media, I wouldn’t have those friendships, and without them, my life trajectory and path of self-development would have been completely skewed.
You can already guess what social media critics will say about it. “Oh, if I hadn’t used social media as a crutch, I probably would have learned interpersonal skills sooner and made more IRL friends.” But that’s not the case. I didn’t withdraw from in-person social events, I just went in and felt anxious and didn’t do a very good job. If strict social media bans had been introduced when I was a teenager, my life would have been visibly worse today.
There is no doubt that some Australian teenagers have suddenly been cut off from their online social circles, leaving them more alone than ever. Think about the hidden LGBTQ+ kids who hide their true identities for fear of incurring the wrath of bigoted parents who miss out on connecting with other teens like them. Think about teenagers living with disabilities. Although they did not have the energy to interact in person, they felt part of the community through social media.
Of course, the people I described above are still at risk from social media (as was I when I was younger), and that’s worth a little consideration. The problems brought on by Instagram, TikTok, and, oh my, X, are serious and need to be addressed. However, I believe that a blanket ban on social media for teenagers would have a disproportionately negative impact on people who are not neurotypical, able-bodied, cis, or straight, and that is a problem.
So what’s the solution? Well, the perfect approach is probably a more complex plan that includes a revamp of the education system with a focus on critical thinking, internet safety, respect for others, and carefully guarded online safe spaces created for the benefit of specific groups of people who are more likely to have difficulties. This would take a lot of time and cost a lot of money, so it’s easy to see why the Australian government opted for an outright ban instead.
At least for now, VPNs provide a much-needed outlet for vulnerable teenagers who have just been cut off from their communities. We recommend our partner NordVPN as the best option.
