Vietnamese experts, parents back Australia’s social media ban for under-16s

The law, effective December 10, makes Australia the first country to enforce such a measure, attracting attention in Europe, where several nations are considering similar steps.

In Vietnam, public opinion favors stricter management of children’s social media use.

Necessary ban

“From a child protection standpoint, limiting social media access for under-16s is entirely reasonable,” said Le Anh Tu, director of iGem Agency and lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance.

“Many European countries apply similar regulations, setting age limits at 12, 13, or 16 depending on the level of risk and children’s capacity to manage it.”

Tu noted that platforms like X (formerly Twitter) contain abundant adult, sensitive content.

Short video clips encourage endless scrolling, cause dull attention, reduce cognitive flexibility, and hinder critical thinking.

“Even adults lose mental agility when overly reliant on algorithms, artificial intelligence,” he added.

Tu suggested stricter identity verification and accountability for users sharing false information as practical ways to enhance online safety, particularly for children.

Clear legal framework needed

Some parents support Australia’s approach, citing first-hand experiences.

Nguyen Van Thai, a father from Ho Chi Minh City, said today’s online environment contains too much violent, obscene, and offensive content that spreads rapidly.

“At their age, children cannot reliably distinguish right from wrong and are easily influenced by harmful videos,” he added.

As busy parents cannot supervise children around the clock, a clear legal framework provides families with peace of mind.

“I believe Australia’s new law helps protect children and creates a healthier online environment for their development,” Thai said.

He added that he encourages his 11-year-old daughter to focus on sports, creative activities, and outdoor play rather than spending excessive time online.

Schools report social media impact

Educators have witnessed the effects of unrestricted social media first-hand.

“Strict bans or restrictions on social media use for children under 16 are not overreactions but responses to long-term evidence of growing psychological harm among young people,” said Dang Ngoc Thu, director of a center for vocational and continuing education in Ho Chi Minh City.

He noted that students’ attention, academic performance, and emotional stability often decline due to excessive online activity.

“Some stay up late scrolling videos, arriving at school exhausted. Minor online conflicts may escalate into real-life disputes,” Thu explained.

Nguyen Huy Phuong, vice-principal of IVS boarding school, reported similar cases.

“Even well-behaved children become irritable, distant from family, and lose focus after prolonged social media use. Many parents mistake this for ‘play addiction,’ but it is behavioral dependency that requires professional support,” he said.

Schools like IVS observe improvements in sleep, communication, concentration, and engagement when social media access is limited.

Protecting children’s mental health

Che Da Thao, director of the Student Counseling and Competency Development Center at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, highlighted the positive effects of age restrictions on children’s mental well-being.

“Children under 16 undergo rapid emotional development but have limited self-control and capacity to assess risks,” she said.

Exposure to harmful content can distort perceptions of beauty, fame, and self-worth, provoke anxiety, lower self-esteem, and encourage impulsive behavior.

Personalized algorithms may worsen these risks by repeatedly showing inappropriate material.

Thao stressed that bans alone are insufficient, but effective online protection requires a combination of digital literacy education, parental guidance, and platform accountability.

Vietnam could adopt similar measures

Experts and parents in Vietnam largely agree that Australia’s ban is timely and reasonable.

While regulations should suit the local context, the principle is clear: protecting children from harmful online influences is vital for their mental and emotional development.

Experts suggest staged implementation, paired with digital literacy and emotional intelligence programs.

“It’s not just about blocking access. It’s about teaching children to navigate the online world safely, helping parents monitor usage, and holding platforms accountable,” said Thao.

A comprehensive approach can support children’s balanced growth and academic success, the expert said.