Inside the Growing Push to Ban Social Media for Kids

Australia is on the cusp of banning social media for children, with countries around the world expected to follow suit. Teenagers and tech companies alike have argued that the ban hurts free speech, but politicians and parents are concerned about the mental-health impacts on young people as more studies show that social media can worsen feelings of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. WSJ tech reporters Sam Schechner and Georgia Wells discuss the pros and cons of a social-media ban and what it could mean for companies’ bottom line. Caitlin McCabe hosts. Further Reading Australia Adds YouTube to Social-Media Ban for Young Teens Families Battle Tech Giants as Australia Pushes for an Under-16 Social-Media Ban Australia Passes Landmark Social-Media Ban for Under-16s