Social Media Users Worldwide Respond to Their Ban in Australia

Title: Social Media Users Worldwide Respond to Their Ban in Australia

On the eve of Australia's pilot ban on social media for children under 16, the AFP gathered reactions from users around the globe.

• Mumbai (India): "Nothing is black or white" -
  
  In Mumbai, 19-year-old Pratigya Jena scrolls through Instagram videos with friends. She believes social media should only be partially banned, arguing that nothing is entirely good or bad. While she acknowledges that Gen Z is achieving great things on these platforms, especially young entrepreneurs, she also recognizes the negative consequences of children being exposed to adult content online.

38-year-old Pratik Bhurke, a cricket coach, thinks the ban will encourage children to spend more time outdoors.

• Berlin: "A bit extreme" -
  
  In Berlin, 13-year-old Luna Drewes sees the ban as somewhat beneficial, as social media often promotes unrealistic standards of beauty. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Enno Caro Brandes feels the ban is a bit extreme but acknowledges it could help with addiction.

• Doha: "Easy to bypass" -
  
  In Doha, 16-year-old Firdha Razak is against the ban, calling it "really stupid" and noting that young people have little power against government actions. Youssef Walid, also 16, believes such measures are hard to enforce and that people can easily circumvent them using VPNs or creating new accounts.

• Lagos: "We were born with it" -
  
  In a Nigerian high school, Mitchelle Okinedo studies with handwritten notes, noting that while she understands the Australian government's action, students are easily distracted. Still, she feels they were "born with it" and don't want to give it up. Her mother, Hannah Okinedo, supports the ban, stating that most parents lack the time to monitor their children constantly.

• Mexico: "Expressing oneself" -
  
  11-year-old Aranza Gomez has had a phone for a year, stating she would be sad without it as it gives her a way to occupy her time. 16-year-old Santiago Ramirez Rojas emphasizes the importance of social media for self-expression, while also acknowledging the dangers posed to younger children online.

• Sydney: "No impact" -
  
  In Australia, opinions vary within families. 15-year-old Layton Lewis doubts the government's effectiveness and its impact on Australian children. Meanwhile, his mother, Emily Lewis, hopes the ban will foster more genuine relationships among children, encouraging them to meet in person instead of maintaining superficial online friendships.

AFP