Australia is banning kids from social media — should we do the same?

Australia has become the first country in the world to ban social media for kids under 16 — a move welcomed by plenty of parents and child advocates.

As of last week, popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat were ordered to block all Australian kids from using their sites or face hefty fines.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it "a proud day" for the country, saying the ban will “make an enormous difference” on the well-being of millions of children.

"It's a profound reform which will continue to reverberate around the world," he said.

Should Canada follow suit? Would such a drastic step make any real difference? We ask an expert who knows a thing or two about kids and screens: Katherine Martinko, the author of Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance.

Spoiler alert: Martinko waited until her son turned 16 before allowing him to have a smartphone. After watching tonight’s episode of Closer Look, you might be convinced to do the same.

Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.

Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show’s dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.