224: Australia Bans Social Media for Kids Under 16: Is This Protection or Control?

Australia has  introduced a world-first ban on social media for children under 16, and the internet is on fire. 🔥In this episode, Rosie and Roula unpack the controversy, the fear, and the very real questions nobody seems able to answer.Is this really about protecting kids — or are we opening the door to digital ID, facial recognition, and loss of privacy?Who should be responsible: governments, tech companies, or parents?And why are teenagers saying the wrong people are being punished?From AI age verification that can be fooled by a pug 🐶, to the power of algorithms, validation, and confirmation bias, this conversation goes far beyond one law in Australia. It becomes a bigger question about how social media is shaping all of us — not just children.Roula reflects on stepping back from social media entirely, inspired by insights from Jay Shetty, while Rosie wrestles with what connection, community, and balance really mean in a digital world.In this episode:Australia’s under-16 social media ban explainedWhy enforcement feels vague and unsettlingFacial recognition, AI age estimation & privacy risksTeenagers calling out misplaced responsibilityAlgorithms, validation & confirmation biasAre we the product — and are our kids the product too?Would life be better without social media or WhatsApp?Missing people, deeper connection & slower communicationThere’s no easy answer — but there is a lot to think about.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.--------------------☕️ Buy us a coffee!🎙️ Send us a voice message🛍️ Buy some Rosie and Roula merch!--------------------⭐️ Leave us a review▶️ Follow us on Instagram and TikTok🎞️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel--------------------🎧 Check out Roula's podcast🎧 Check out Rosie's podcast