Why Banning Social Media for Kids Won’t Work

A recent episode of GB News reignited a conversation that’s gaining momentum again—partly due to the buzz around the new Netflix documentary Adolescents, which explores the deep influence of social media on young minds. The show has sparked fresh concern over screen time, online safety, and the psychological impact of smartphones on children.

In the debate, I was invited to share my thoughts on whether we should ban phones and social media for children under 16. While I understand the concerns that drive this suggestion, banning is not a sustainable or effective solution.

Here is the short video and you can find the long version at the end of the page.

My short video of the debate from GB News.

📱 Phones Are Not the Problem - Our Approach Is

Phones and social media are no longer luxuries, they're embedded in how young people communicate, learn, and engage with the world. Telling teenagers to disconnect completely is like telling them to stop speaking the language of their generation. These platforms, when used correctly, can offer powerful educational and social value. The challenge is not the existence of smartphones, but the lack of guidance on how to use them wisely.

🚫 Banning Doesn’t Build Skills

Suggesting a total ban on social media is akin to banning swimming because some people drown. We don’t solve the problem by keeping children away from water forever, we teach them how to swim.

Suggesting a total ban on social media is akin to banning swimming because some people drown. We don’t solve the problem by keeping children away from water forever, we teach them how to swim.

The same logic applies here: children must learn how to navigate digital spaces, spot harmful content, and build a healthy relationship with technology. If we deny them this learning, we’re setting them up to become digitally illiterate and dependent adults.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents Must Be Part of the Solution

I speak not only as an educator, but also as a parent. I’ve seen firsthand how digital tools—like YouTube Kids—can support the learning of children, including my own nonverbal autistic daughter. The key isn’t total freedom or total restriction, but active guidance. We need to equip both children and parents with the skills to engage critically and safely with digital platforms.

Unfortunately, many adults themselves aren’t using technology responsibly. When we scroll mindlessly or constantly check notifications, we’re setting the very example we hope to avoid. Children are excellent observers. If we, as adults, can’t model healthy tech habits, how can we expect them to learn?

🎯 The Goal: Digital Literacy, Not Digital Fear

Rather than banning technology out of fear, let’s invest in digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and media education. Let’s empower young people to understand, evaluate, and interact with the digital world in ways that benefit them socially, academically, and emotionally.

Banning might feel like a quick fix—but it’s not a long-term solution. What our children need isn’t a wall between them and the internet. They need a map—and someone willing to help them read it.