Internet Policy Podcast Summaries

Social Media Bans Don’t Always Work. What's Next?

Hard Fork

Jul 10, 2026

Governments worldwide are rushing to enact 16-plus age gates for social platforms, viewing them as essential to protect teens from direct harm. While implementation challenges remain, the shift suggests a future where digital childhood is strictly regulated by law rather than company policy.

Key insight: Researchers at the University of Newcastle found that more than 85% of Australian teens were still using social media three months after a ban took effect, highlighting the struggle of enforcement in a digital-first world.