Don’t ban teenagers from social media

Restrictions would do more harm than good

People don’t agree on much these days. But one thing brings them together, whatever their politics: the idea that, because social media harm children and teenagers, they should be banned from using them. In December Australia stopped under-16s from having accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. A dozen countries, including Britain and Spain, are now toying with the idea; so are legislators in many American states. More than 70% of Britons support kicking under-16s off such sites, as do two-thirds of Americans. The problem is, bans will do more harm than good.

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Let them scroll”

From the February 14th 2026 edition

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