Should SA follow Australia’s lead with banning social media?

CapeTalk’s Clarence Ford speaks with Kate Farina, Co-Founder of the South African chapter of Smartphone Free Childhood.

Listen below:

Australia is set to become the first country in the world to ban all social media for children under the age of 16.

Evidence suggests that social media can have negative effects on children’s mental and physical health.

If sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X do not comply with the ban they face a fine of up to Aus$50million (over R582million).

Farina advocates for more mindful access to technology for children.

She says that while smartphones can help children foster connections, she says we need to find other ways to facilitate these connections offline.

She argues that children need to have a real childhood offline where they play, are physical, and learn interpersonal skills that are essential in adulthood.

Smartphones and social media use have had adverse impacts on their sleep, their exercise, anxiety levels, and more, she continues.

“Is 16 the right age? It is enough given what it gives our children access to? Maybe not but at least it is a start.”

- Kate Farina, Co-Founder of the South African chapter of Smartphone Free Childhood (IN: 06:19)

RELATED: Australia bans social media for under-16s

Farina says Smartphone Free Childhood is working closely with counterparts in Australia to see if we could implement similar policies in South Africa.

However, she feels our laws would need to be more flexible because there are many potentially harmful apps that regularly popup.

Scroll up to the audio player for more.