Australia's Social Media Ban Won't Stop Cyberbullying

• Australia's Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act is active, banning under-16s from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
• The ban is widely believed to prevent cyberbullying, but the article argues it will not, as bullying is a social problem.
• Cyberbullying may shift to other platforms not covered by the ban, such as WhatsApp or Discord, potentially making it less visible.
• The legislation narrowly targets social media accounts and does not prevent under-16s from accessing content on many platforms.
• Effective strategies against cyberbullying involve open conversations with trusted adults and utilizing support organizations like ReachOut.

Why It Matters: The Australian social media ban is an ineffective solution to cyberbullying.