The Download: failed social media bans, and extending pets’ lives

Several countries are implementing age restrictions on social media to protect minors.

France passed a law in July 2024 banning children under 15 from major platforms, but it was blocked by the country’s top court on human rights grounds.

The UK plans to forbid access for under-16s starting in early 2027, while the EU aims to prohibit social media for kids under 15.

These bans are part of a broader effort to address concerns about children’s mental health and online safety.

However, early evidence from Australia, which introduced a similar ban in 2024, suggests that such restrictions are easily bypassed by minors using simple workarounds like VPNs (virtual private networks) or creating multiple accounts.

The authors argue that age restrictions alone are not an effective solution and that alternative approaches are needed to genuinely protect children online.