The trouble with social media bans – To make a problem disappear, blindfold yourself

‘Prohibition only drives drunkenness behind doors and into dark places, and does not cure it or even diminish it.’ Mark Twain Following in Australia’s footsteps, the United Kingdom has banned social media for under-16s. The ban will come into force in Spring 2027 ‘to give kids their childhood back’ – a phrase repeated five times in five different ways in the British government’s press release. I agree that social media is more likely than not a bad influence on kids and restricting it can potentially make a positive difference in kids’ critical early years. What I disagree with, however, is the manner in which governments are approaching this problem. This essay is a response to Thomas Rigby and Tom Oostveen as part of JulyReply. As it is intended to be self-contained, I have taken the liberty to quote both these posts several times throughout this essay. Around 1920, the US government passed the Wartime Prohibition Act banning the sale of goods containing over 1.28% alcohol. The Act…