The Cobra Effect and Australia’s Proposed Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

The Australian government has recently proposed a social media ban for children under 16, aiming to protect young people’s mental health. However, the proposal carries the risk of what is known as the “Cobra Effect”—a phenomenon where a well-intentioned solution ultimately makes the situation worse. The term originates from British colonial India, where a bounty on cobras resulted in unintended consequences: people began breeding cobras for profit, and when the program was cancelled, the released cobras ultimately increased the population. In a similar vein, this proposed social media ban could inadvertently exacerbate the very issues it is trying to solve.

The government’s ban is well-intentioned, aiming to protect young people’s mental health by limiting exposure to potentially harmful online content. However, this approach may result in unintended consequences that could make matters worse.

Potential Negative Impact Include:

1. Increased Isolation: For many young people, social media is an essential way to maintain friendships and feel a part of social communities. A ban could lead to increased feelings of isolation and disconnection, potentially worsening their mental health.
2. Loss of Mental Health Resources: Social media platforms are often a vital source of mental health support for young people, providing information, peer groups, and access to support networks. Cutting off this access could leave many without the resources they need during challenging times.
3. Circumvention and Risk: Just as current age restrictions are frequently bypassed, a social media ban is likely to lead young people to find workarounds. This could push them into riskier and less regulated online spaces, increasing their exposure to harmful content or predatory behaviour.
4. Digital Literacy Gap: Digital literacy is crucial in today’s interconnected world, and restricting access could lead to young Australians missing out on learning how to navigate and use digital platforms safely and effectively.
5. Underground Usage: Pushing social media use underground may make it much harder for parents and educators to monitor online activity. This lack of visibility could increase the risks of exposure to harmful content without any opportunity for guidance or intervention.

Potential Positive Effects Include:

Despite the risks, it is worth noting some potential benefits of the proposed ban:

1. Reducing Exposure to Harmful Content: Social media platforms often expose young users to harmful content, including cyberbullying, unrealistic body image standards, and other negative influences. A ban could reduce this exposure, potentially leading to improved mental health for some young people.
2. Encouraging Offline Interaction: A reduction in social media use might encourage children to engage more with in-person activities and develop stronger offline relationships, leading to a healthier balance in their social lives.
3. Reducing Screen Time: Excessive screen time is a growing concern, linked to sleep disruption and physical health issues. The ban could help address these issues by encouraging children to reduce their screen use and participate in more active pursuits.

A More Nuanced Approach

Mental health experts and child advocacy groups have raised serious concerns about the proposed ban, warning that a blanket approach may ultimately do more harm than good. Instead of a simplistic prohibition, experts suggest alternative solutions:

• Co-designing Safety Features: Involving young people in the design of safety features could ensure that these measures are effective and user-friendly.
• Mandating Safety Features for Young Users: Platforms could be required to implement specific protections for users under 16, such as stricter privacy settings and content filters.
• Parental Support: Increasing support for parents on managing their children’s social media use could empower families to make informed decisions.
• User Control Over Algorithms: Giving users more control over what they see, rather than letting algorithms dictate content, could make the social media experience safer and more positive for young people.

The proposed social media ban for children under 16 aims to address genuine concerns about mental health and wellbeing. However, by ignoring the complexities of young people’s online interactions, the government risks falling into the Cobra Effect trap—creating unintended negative outcomes that undermine the intended benefits.

A more nuanced, collaborative approach may ultimately be more effective in safeguarding young Australians while preserving the benefits that social media can provide.

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