Tag: Social Media Ban

International

Australia’s Bold Social Media Crackdown: Will Kids Actually Log Off?

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral International Desk

Australia has entered a new digital era as it begins enforcing its controversial move to remove children under 16 from social media. The government has framed the shift as a necessary intervention to protect young people from online harm, but many kids have no intention of logging off. In fact, a recent survey of more than 17,000 Australian youths showed that three-quarters plan to keep using social platforms even after the ban begins, and only a small fraction believe the change will work. In the days leading up to the rollout, teens traded tips on bypassing restrictions and encouraged each other to migrate to more obscure apps, raising fresh concerns about children drifting into even less regulated online spaces. With the ban landing just as the long summer holiday begins, the timing adds a layer of complexity for families and regulators.

While Australia describes the legislation as world-leading, skepticism remains widespread. Hard age limits might block some young teens today only to usher them in the moment they turn 16, without ever addressing the conditions that make these platforms risky in the first place. Research from the American Psychological Association has emphasized that age alone isn’t a reliable measure of digital readiness and that blanket bans don’t confront the underlying design choices that keep kids hooked. Even so, many Australians support the move, tired of hearing about the tragic consequences of unchecked online spaces. Reports of youth suicides, drug access and harassment have made it clear that the status quo isn’t working. Surveys from the US, UK and Australia continue to show alarming rates of online grooming, unwanted sexual content and growing concerns about the mental health impact of algorithm-driven feeds.

Critics argue the ban risks cutting off essential community spaces for marginalized young people, including LGBTQ, Indigenous and rural teens whose primary peer networks often exist online. Others point to loopholes: kids can still watch YouTube anonymously, and platforms like Roblox are exempt by categorizing their social features as gaming. And of course, many digitally savvy teens will inevitably find a way around the new rules. Still, the policy sends a clear message to Silicon Valley: governments are no longer willing to accept passivity from tech companies when it comes to youth safety. If more countries follow, platforms may be forced to redesign their systems, strengthen protections and take responsibility for growing evidence of harm.

Australia’s ban is far from perfect, and no one should expect it to trigger a nostalgic return to analog childhoods. But it has ignited a vital global debate about balancing protection with connection and about reshaping digital spaces to serve young people rather than endanger them. If raising a child takes a village, protecting them online requires an even larger one. Australia has taken a first step. Others will now have to decide whether they follow—or leave the future of childhood in the hands of tech giants.

International

Nepal Withdraws Social Media Ban After Deadly Youth Protests

allycaralgoa

Kathmandu, Sept 9 — The Nepal government has withdrawn its controversial decision to ban social media platforms after widespread protests by youths turned violent, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 300 injured.

The announcement was made by Prithvi Subba Gurung, Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Information and Broadcasting, following an emergency Cabinet meeting on Monday.

The earlier ban had sparked outrage among the country’s young population, who argued that restricting access to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X violated their right to free expression and access to information. What began as peaceful demonstrations soon escalated into violent confrontations with security forces, leading to the tragic loss of life.

“The government has heard the voice of the people,” Minister Gurung said, adding that the withdrawal was aimed at restoring peace and ensuring stability in the country.

Human rights groups and digital rights activists had strongly criticized the ban, warning that it would isolate Nepal from the digital world and stifle democratic freedoms.

The reversal has been welcomed by protesters and civil society organizations, though many stress that accountability must follow for the deaths and injuries caused during the unrest.

The incident highlights the growing tension between governments and citizens in the digital age, where social media is both a tool for mobilization and a space for freedom of expression.

With the ban lifted, focus now shifts to how Nepal’s leadership will balance governance, security concerns, and digital rights in the months ahead.

International

Nepal Bans Facebook, X, YouTube, and 23 Other Social Media Platforms Over Registration Dispute

Tanisha Cardozo

In a controversial and far-reaching decision, the Government of Nepal has ordered the shutdown of 26 major social media platforms — including global giants Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram — citing their failure to comply with mandatory registration requirements. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on September 4, follows a seven-day deadline that expired the previous night.

According to the Ministry, the ban will remain in place until the platforms are formally registered with Nepali authorities. The Nepal Telecommunication Authority has been instructed to enforce the ban immediately. Officials stated that multiple requests had been made for compliance, with the final deadline passed without any action from the social media companies.

However, this crackdown has sparked widespread backlash both domestically and internationally. Free speech advocates and digital rights organizations have condemned the move, describing it as an attempt to suppress dissent and limit public discourse. Critics argue that the government’s registration demands are excessively intrusive, requiring platforms to submit to tight oversight and control that may violate global standards of digital autonomy and privacy.

Ujjwal Acharya, Director of the Center for Media Research, criticized the decision as deeply misguided, warning that it threatens Nepal’s democratic credentials. He emphasized that social media is no longer just a political tool but an essential part of modern life, used by individuals and businesses alike for communication, commerce, and creativity.

This is not the first time Nepal has moved against social platforms. In 2023, the government temporarily banned TikTok under similar circumstances. That ban was reversed in August 2024, only after TikTok agreed to register in Nepal. Since assuming power over a year ago, the K.P. Sharma Oli government has faced repeated allegations of authoritarian tendencies and increasing hostility toward online dissent.

Earlier this year, the government attempted to introduce sweeping legislation aimed at regulating all online activity under the pretext of protecting users. That effort was met with significant resistance from civil society and media watchdogs. The current ban appears to be an extension of that same regulatory vision, now enforced with greater authority after a Supreme Court ruling two weeks ago upheld the necessity of mandatory registration for all online platforms operating in Nepal.

The sudden blackout of widely used platforms has sent shockwaves through Nepal’s digital population. Many users posted what they feared could be their last messages before the sites went dark, while others decried the government for undermining basic freedoms.

As the country navigates the fallout of this decision, concerns are growing about the long-term implications for online expression, entrepreneurship, and Nepal’s global reputation as a democratic nation. Whether the banned platforms will eventually comply or push back against the government’s demands remains to be seen — but for now, Nepal’s digital landscape has changed dramatically, and not for the better.