By Roland Mpofu
Australia led the way. In December 2025, it enforced a world-first ban on social media for users under the age of 16. Now the United Kingdom is next, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming that similar restrictions on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Snapchat will be effective in Spring 2027.
The question for South Africa: If Australia called it “taking back power from Big Tech” and the UK says it is “the right step for Britain” to improve online safety, does South Africa need the same line in the sand?
We already see the harms of cyberbullying in Gauteng schools, which increased by 34% last year, along with grooming cases and “predatory algorithms” pushing anxiety and self-harm content. But at the same time, South African teens use YouTube for matric revision and Instagram to sell art.
Australia’s ban does not criminalise children, it fines platforms instead. The UK exempts messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal. Both countries are betting that age verification can work, but critics warn it may push teens into “darker corners of the internet”.
So South Africa, what is the move? Copy Australia’s world-first model, wait for UK results in 2027, or focus on digital literacy and parental controls instead?
Where do you stand: ban under-16s like Australia did, tighten platform rules like the UK plans, or leave access open with better safeguards?
