The Australian government's proposal to ban social media access for under-16s, aimed at protecting youth from harmful content like misogyny, faces criticism. Research shows social media's benefits for identity formation and community building, especially for marginalised youth, while age verification poses practical challenges.
The focus on social media overlooks how misogyny is deeply embedded in everyday social structures. Algorithms may amplify anti-women content, but these attitudes exist offline in schools and society. A ban addresses symptoms rather than root causes of gender-based discrimination and violence.
"Social media platforms and their algorithms merely mirror ideas and attitudes towards women and girls that already exist, and are likely to be encountered in all settings across young people's lives, not just online."
