Australia just made a historic move: banning social media for anyone under 16 — and it could trigger a global chain reaction. 📵
This isn’t just about teens and TikTok. It’s about governments challenging Big Tech, societies redefining childhood, and a fundamental question: Who should control the digital lives of young people — parents, platforms, or the state?

In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down what this ban actually means for Australia, how it fits into a rising global trend of age restrictions, and why this moment could shape the future of Generation Alpha, democracy, and the entire tech industry.

We explore:

• Why Australia acted first — and why other countries may follow

• The ethics of protecting children vs. respecting parental responsibility

• Why social media harms are finally reaching political breaking points

• The impossible challenge of age verification and digital identity

• How the ban could financially shake Big Tech giants

• What happens to a generation raised outside of algorithmic platforms

• The geopolitical fight between the U.S., EU, and the rest of the world on tech regulation

• How societies — not companies — ultimately define accountability

• What “success” in tech regulation actually looks like

This is the episode that reveals what’s really at stake when a country decides teens should not be allowed on social media.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Australia's Social Media Ban: A Game Changer
00:45 Understanding the Implications of the Ban
01:16 The Global Trend Towards Age Restrictions
02:12 The Ethical Debate: Protecting Children vs. Parental Responsibility
05:13 Identifying the Core Issues with Social Media
07:43 The Tech Landscape: Age Verification Challenges
10:13 The Financial Impact on Big Tech
12:53 The Future of Generation Alpha and Social Media
14:44 The Competitive Landscape for Tech Companies
16:21 The Role of Society in Tech Accountability
17:36 Geopolitical Implications of Tech Regulation
18:42 Defining Success in Tech Regulation
20:21 The U.S. Response to Global Tech Regulation
21:05 The EU's Position in Global Tech Politics
25:37 Ethics and Youth Perspectives on Social Media
29:43 The Broader Impact of Technology on Society

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👤 LinkedIn (Aparna): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/

👤 LinkedIn (Harinda): https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/