Kirra Pendergast, a cyber safety educator who speaks to thousands of teenagers each year, is no stranger to the dangers young people face online. Bullying, sextortion, threats—she’s seen it all. However, nothing prepared her for the intense hostility she encountered during a recent session with a group of 12- and 13-year-olds at an Australian high school.

Minutes into her talk, a group of boys began shouting misogynistic insults about the women in her presentation. When a girl in the front row made a vulgar remark, Pendergast was visibly shaken, leaving the room in tears. In a video she shared from her car after the incident, Pendergast explained, “The behavior I witnessed today is driven by what they’ve seen online. It has to change.”

Initially opposed to the idea of banning social media for children, Pendergast has since reversed her stance. “After considering every argument, I thought, ‘Just ban it,’” she told CNN.

The Australian government is now attempting to pass what it calls “world-leading” legislation to remove social media accounts—on platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram—from children under 16. If the bill passes, social media companies could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (around $32 million) if they fail to stop children from using their platforms. While the government is not dictating how companies should enforce this, it expects them to implement age verification systems, which may raise privacy concerns that the legislation aims to address.

However, critics argue the law is politically motivated and rushed, potentially pushing underage users into even more unregulated corners of the internet. On the other hand, supporters argue that even if it saves one child, it’s worth the effort.

The Tragic Consequences of Online Bullying

The deaths of two young girls, Charlotte O’Brien and Ella Catley-Crawford, have reignited calls for action against online bullying. Both girls, aged 12, tragically took their own lives after enduring bullying through platforms like Snapchat. In Ella’s case, bullies allegedly posed as other users and shared private videos she had sent. Her family emphasized the reality of “social media bullying” on a GoFundMe page in her memory.

Charlotte’s parents, Matthew Howard and Kelly O’Brien, have since joined the push to raise the minimum age for social media access from 13 to 16. Recently, they presented a petition with over 124,000 signatures to the Australian prime minister, urging for the proposed ban. “No parent should ever have to go through what we’re going through,” Matthew said in a video shared with CNN.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Danielle Einstein explains that schools are under pressure to address online behaviors that spill over into the classroom. “Teachers are struggling to manage the negative behaviors fostered by social media, where cruelty is often normalized,” she said. Mistakes that once would have been private are now broadcast for everyone to see, creating new pressures for students and teachers alike.

Political Consensus on the Ban

In an unusual move, Australia’s political leaders have largely united in support of a social media age limit. In June, the opposition party proposed the change, and it was quickly backed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “Social media isn’t social at all. It’s doing harm to our children, and it’s time we address it,” Albanese said in a video on Instagram, one of the platforms affected by the proposal.

This initiative is also supported by parents like Dany Elachi, who regrets giving his 10-year-old daughter a smartphone after seeing the negative impact it had on her life. After noticing that her social media use began to overwhelm her, Elachi and his wife founded the Heads Up Alliance to encourage other parents to delay giving their children smartphones. Elachi believes social media is causing significant harm to Australian children, especially in cases of cyberbullying that have led to tragic suicides.

Is a Ban the Right Approach?

While the harmful effects of social media on children are undeniable, many experts question whether an outright ban is the best solution. More than 140 professionals recently signed a letter urging the government to reconsider the ban, arguing that it would discourage social media companies from improving online safety features. Instead, they recommend creating laws to bring digital platforms under Australian jurisdiction and involving young people in shaping regulations that affect them.

Dr. Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre, believes that the current minimum sign-up age of 13 is reasonable for many children. While she understands the appeal of a ban, she warns that it won’t provide the relief many parents expect. “A ban isn’t going to solve the problem long-term,” she said. “It’s an easy fix, but it doesn’t address the underlying issues.”

Many critics of the ban suggest that political motivations are at play, particularly as the next federal election approaches. News Corporation, which has been vocal in calling for the ban, has its own interests at stake, especially after Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram) stopped paying Australian news outlets for content in 2023.

Industry Response and Ongoing Debate

Despite the growing support for a ban, some tech companies and industry groups are pushing back. Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok have all made efforts to address online safety concerns, with companies like Instagram working with Kids Helpline to promote anti-bullying campaigns.

However, some argue that a ban could push children into unregulated parts of the internet, where there are fewer safeguards. Critics also point out that, even if the law is passed, it could set a dangerous precedent for government control over online spaces. Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), criticized the ban, suggesting it could be a form of excessive government intervention.

As the Australian government moves closer to passing the bill, the debate continues. Kirra Pendergast, who has witnessed the harmful effects of social media on children firsthand, believes that even if the law protects just one child, it’s worth it. “Why are we treating child safety like a political game?” she wrote on Facebook. “The kids are the ones who lose while we argue.”

Whether or not the bill passes, the conversation about how to protect children in the digital age is far from over.