There Is a Better Way to Get Kids Off Screens

May 8, 2026, Opinion: "A teenager who quits social media gives up more than just that. She often becomes the only one missing from the group chat where plans get made. The value of social media depends on who else is using it, which means that most teenagers are unlikely to want to cut back alone. Any solution requires collective action. That sounds, on its face, like a strong argument for a ban. If individual exit is too costly to be self-sustaining, the law can do what individuals cannot — coordinate everyone so that they exit at once. In December 2025, Australia became the first country to try barring anyone under 16 from holding accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and six other major platforms. The ban, which is enforceable under the law, was instituted to protect children from, among other things, access to pornography and violent material."