Time will tell which path proves better.

Written by Chiu Mingming, chair professor of Analytics and Diversity, and Gu Jiapei, postdoctoral fellow, Analytics/Assessment Research Centre, The Education University of Hong Kong.

In December 2025, Australia will become the first country to ban children under 16 from using social media.

Citing studies showing that overuse of platforms like Meta/Facebook, X/Twitter, and TikTok harms young people's mental health, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese argues that the ban addresses a critical public health emergency, igniting a fiery debate.

Across the globe, many will be watching to see whether Australia's experiment in digital sovereignty to protect its youth succeeds or fails.