Governments Are Blocking Teens From Social Media. Will It Protect Them?

Australia’s new law requiring platforms to block users under 16 marks a major escalation in global efforts to regulate youth social media use. With similar measures emerging in the US and Europe, governments are testing whether age verification, platform fines, and AI moderation can curb cyberbullying, mental health harms, and exploitative content. But as lawsuits mount and enforcement gaps persist, the deeper question remains: can regulation alone create genuinely safe digital spaces for young people?