Australia Social Media Ban: Is the Nuclear Option the Right Fix?

Australia has become the first country in the world to ban social media for under-16s. Some are calling it bold. Others are calling it overdue. Young people are calling it life-ruining.In this episode of Safeguarding Redefined, Chris is joined by online safety specialist Andy Briercliffe to ask the uncomfortable question many aren’t ready to answer yet:Does banning social media actually make children safer or just push the risks somewhere else?Together they unpack:Why an outright ban feels appealing but may miss the real problemThe uncomfortable reality of image sharing, sexting, and peer pressureWhether regulation, education, and culture change are being sidelined in favour of headlinesThis isn’t a neat debate with a tidy solution. It’s an honest, experience-led conversation about uncertainty, unintended consequences, and why safeguarding rarely works when we reach for the nuclear option.If you work with children, lead safeguarding, or are parenting through the digital minefield, this episode will challenge your assumptions and sharpen your questions.Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-briercliffe-760621191/--Useful Links: https://buymeacoffee.com/cornerstonesafeguarding  - Every coffee you buy helps us keep creating practical tools and content for safeguarding professionals like youTo find out more about Cornerstone Safeguarding - www.CornerstoneSafeguarding.co.uk Email us at Cornerstone: [email protected] in a meeting to discuss your safeguarding needs: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ0ZwllED1_R0eAmzurUNbXW6dk92TtCp9BE8oysOnlPwBl3L2vNEooyvSJ3fQaQBk_q1onKflh4Subscribe to Cornerstone Connect - https://www.cornerstonesafeguarding.co.uk/cornerstoneconnectsignup - for fresh safeguarding insights, priority access to support, and exclusive discounts. Chris East on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-east-801496174/Leah East on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-east-cornerstone/