Penalties for getting around the social media ban

Ok social media is going to be banned, but kids will get around it.

That's what heaps of parents say to me, and even though that may be true, it's not the right way to be thinking about the ban.

First, the responsibility is on social media platforms to make sure that kids can't get around it. These are some of the biggest companies in the world and they are going to have to design their platforms so that kids aren't able to get around it. If they don't, they'll face fines of nearly $50 million.

Now there is no fine for kids or their parents or their teachers if they get around the ban. The responsibility is squarely on the social media platforms.

Second, even if some kids get around the ban, let's say 10% of kids find a loop hole, that's still 90% of kids who are being protected from harmful content on social media. That's still a win.

Kids want to be where there friends are. If all their friends are on social media, that's where they are going to want to hang out. But if 90% of kids aren't on social media, and are instead at the park playing sport, that's where their friends are going to want to be.

Let's be real, social media isn't that fun of a place to be, but at the moment, it's the best place kids have got to connect. We have to support them to find an offline alternative and build community IRL, in real life.

Thirdly, loopholes might exist during the teething period, but I’m hopefully that the fines will encourage platforms to close those loopholes promptly. I don’t think it’s too much of an ask given age verification legislation is popping up all over the world.

Tech companies are going to have to grapple with this, and FAST. We have let them get away with not enforcing the rules for too long. Let’s see this change in 2026. 

Do you think $49.5million is a big enough fine to deter these social media platforms? Let me know below!

Social media ban workshops are the best way to educate your staff, students and parents about the ban. Book in for a social media ban presentation for your school, organisation or local government.