The Australian government officially announced that from December 10, 2025, minors under the age of 16 will be prohibited from using social media. Violators of the relevant social platforms will face hefty fines of 50 million Australian dollars. This will be the world's first such ban, leading to a flurry of mixed opinions.

The reason Australia is taking this action is due to underlying issues. A set of data reveals some clues: among minors aged 11 to 15, 96% are using social media, over 60% of children have lost interest in reading, sports, arts, and other hobbies, and 81% of minors have experienced cyberbullying. The suicide of a 15-year-old girl in New South Wales in 2022 due to cyberbullying has solidified Australia's determination to implement a nationwide ban on social platforms.

Once the ban was announced, most Australians expressed understanding and support, especially parents and schools, who unanimously approved. After all, the problems caused by children being addicted to social media have indeed left parents and teachers exhausted and distressed.

Of course, there is also significant opposition, especially from well-known social media platforms that are affected by the ban. They argue that the responsibility for underage children violating social media usage should not rest solely with the platforms. Furthermore, the ban cannot completely prevent underage children from accessing social media platforms; instead, it may remove them from reasonable oversight, posing a greater risk.

Overall, Australia's move is intended for the healthy development of minors, which is commendable, but the direct 'one-size-fits-all' approach is still debatable.

China's measures to protect minors from online harm are noteworthy. We have the 'Regulations on the Protection of Minors in Cyberspace', which clearly stipulates the responsibilities and obligations of platforms, schools, parents, and society. Each party should assume corresponding responsibilities and fulfill their obligations while cooperating to ensure that children use the internet in a reasonable and regulated manner under supervision.

Would this 'combined approach' be much more effective than a simple 'one-size-fits-all' method? After all, the online world is fascinating, and it can broaden and enrich the horizons of minors; reasonable use can benefit them for a lifetime.