Why Social Media Restrictions Won’t Work? Because Teens are Curious!

By Jym Tan Jia Tzer

As Abraham Lincoln once observed, “prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a person’s appetite by legislation.” That is the reality at the heart of growing calls for a social media ban on users under 16. While the intention is clear — to protect young people from the risks of the online world — we need to ask an uncomfortable question: will a ban actually work?

From my experience in social media and digital behaviour, the answer is no. An outright ban risks creating a false sense of security while failing to address the root of the issue.

Children are inherently curious, and today they increasingly turn to social media and digital platforms to seek information and make sense of the world around them. Restricting access to mainstream platforms is unlikely to curb that instinct; instead, it may simply drive them towards alternative channels — whether through shared accounts, lesser-known apps, or platforms that fall outside regulatory oversight. In attempting to block access, we risk pushing their digital activity further into the shadows, where it becomes significantly harder to guide, supervise, or understand.

The reality is this: no regulation can replace the role of parents.

Too often, the conversation around online safety focuses on what governments or platforms should do, while overlooking what happens at home. Yet it is at home where meaningful protection begins. Parents need to move beyond simply limiting screen time or banning apps. They must actively engage with their children, understanding what they consume, who they interact with, and how they interpret what they see.

This means having regular conversations about cyberbullying, misinformation, online predators and digital footprints. It also means creating an environment where children feel safe to speak up when something goes wrong, rather than hiding it.

But parents cannot and should not do this alone.

If children are spending a significant part of their lives in digital spaces, then our education system must reflect that reality. Digital literacy should be treated as a core skill, not an optional add-on. Schools can play a stronger role by equipping students to question what they see online. Teachers also need support to identify and respond to issues such as cyberbullying and online distress.

At the same time, platforms must take greater responsibility. This includes stronger privacy protections for younger users and more effective content moderation that reflects local languages and contexts.

There is also growing discussion around age verification as a way to enforce restrictions. While this may appear logical, it is not without trade-offs. Requiring users to submit more personal data introduces another layer of risk, particularly at a time when cyber incidents are on the rise in Malaysia, with more than 550,000 local accounts exposed in data breaches in 2025 alone. The question is not just whether we can verify age, but whether we can do so without exposing users to new vulnerabilities.

These concerns are not unique to Malaysia. In countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, digital policy experts and safety advocates have similarly cautioned that bans are difficult to enforce, while age verification mechanisms may introduce additional privacy risks.

Social Media Restrictions

Equally important is recognising that simply restricting access does not change behaviour. Platforms have long understood the power of design in influencing user habits. The same principles can be applied to promote healthier usage among younger users through features such as time reminders, content breaks or default limits during late-night hours.

This is not to suggest that concerns about social media are misplaced, they are valid. But the solution should not be to remove access entirely. Social media, when used responsibly, can offer real benefits, from educational content and peer support to creative expression and essential digital skills.

The goal, therefore, should not be to shield children completely, but to prepare them.

This requires a more balanced approach. One that brings together parents, schools, platforms and policymakers. Each has a role to play, and none can be effective in isolation.

A ban may be the easiest policy to propose. But it is not the most effective solution.

If we truly want to protect our children, we must recognise that responsibility cannot be outsourced. It begins with us, but it does not end there.

About the author

Jym Tan is a digital strategy consultant specialising in social media and online behaviour. He advises organisations and brands on navigating the evolving digital landscape, with a focus on responsible engagement, platform governance and emerging online risks.

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