Why Countries Are Pushing Social Media Bans Despite Their Flaws NYT > Top Stories By: John Yoon 28 August 2026 at 16:46 Proposals for curbing social media use among children have wide support, but critics say they are ineffective. © Jeremy Piper/ReutersTeenagers in Australia on their phones. The country’s social media ban, which took effect in December, has so far failed to keep children off the platforms.