When governments claim that banning social media for children under 16 is about protecting young people, it is worth asking: Are you for real? While the intention may be to improve mental health and online safety, such a ban could have unintended consequences, particularly for young girls whose voices and communities increasingly exist online.
For many girls, social media is more than entertainment. It is a space where they find support, learn about issues that affect them, and connect with others who share similar experiences. Feminist movements such as #MeToo have shown that online platforms can empower women and girls to speak out against harassment, challenge gender stereotypes, and educate themselves about their rights. Removing access to these spaces may also remove valuable opportunities for learning and self-expression.
Supporters of the ban argue that social media contributes to body image issues, cyberbullying, and anxiety among teenage girls. These concerns are real and should not be ignored. However, banning access treats girls as the problem instead of addressing the harmful content, weak platform moderation, and online cultures that create these issues. Rather than teaching young people how to navigate digital spaces safely, a blanket ban risks leaving them unprepared for the online world they will eventually enter.
From a feminist perspective, limiting access can also reduce girls’ ability to participate in public conversations. Young women have used social media to organise campaigns, raise awareness about gender inequality, and challenge sexism. Restricting these platforms may unintentionally silence voices that have already struggled to be heard.
This does not mean social media is without risks. Stronger age-appropriate protections, better digital literacy education, and greater accountability for technology companies are all important. These approaches address the root causes of harm while allowing young people to benefit from the positive aspects of online communities.
If society truly wants to protect girls, it should focus on making online spaces safer, not simply making them inaccessible. Otherwise, the promise of protection begins to sound hollow. In that case, asking “Are you for real?” becomes more than a question—it becomes a challenge to create solutions that empower rather than restrict the next generation of young women.