SmartphoneFree Childhood South Africa (SFC-SA) has urged the government to follow emerging global policy shifts by banning social media access for children under the age of 16.
According to a report published by Independent Online (IOL), the organisation argues that restricting smartphone and social media use among minors is now a “public health priority” and should be implemented before the new school year begins.
The call comes shortly after Australia became the first country to formally prohibit under-16s from accessing major social media platforms, introducing strict penalties for tech companies that fail to enforce the new rules. Malaysia has also announced plans to introduce similar restrictions from 2026.
SFC-SA says South Africa cannot afford to ignore these developments. According to Kate Farina, the organisation’s head of strategy, the growing global pushback against social media for children reflects mounting evidence that platforms are intentionally designed to capture attention and maximise profit, often at the expense of young people’s mental health.
“This global momentum should serve as a serious wake-up call for South African policymakers and parents,” Farina said. “Countries are acknowledging that social media is ‘harmful by design’ and that children are paying the price.”
Research from various African and international studies has linked high social media use among young people to increased anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, sleep disruption, and declining academic performance. SFC-SA argues that children in South Africa, who are already navigating high levels of violence, inequality, and mental-health challenges, are particularly vulnerable to these harms.
However, not all child rights organisations are convinced a blanket ban is the best approach. Some groups acknowledge the risks posed by unregulated digital access but caution that an outright prohibition could create unintended consequences, such as limiting digital literacy or widening inequalities for children who rely on online tools for learning.
These organisations instead advocate for stricter regulation, improved parental guidance, digital safety education in schools and stronger accountability measures for technology companies operating in South Africa.
SFC-SA maintains that a decisive shift is necessary. The organisation believes that a ban for under-16s, combined with clear guidelines for schools, would help protect children during their most vulnerable developmental years.
The debate now places growing pressure on South Africa’s Department of Basic Education and policymakers to determine whether the country should join the emerging global trend, or carve out its own approach to children’s digital safety.
New national policy aimed at strengthening online protections for children
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) says it is drafting a new national policy aimed at strengthening online protections for children, as governments across the world grapple with the rising risks young people face on digital platforms.
In a statement, the department confirmed it is developing the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audio-Visual Media Services and Online Safety, a framework that will guide future legislation on digital content regulation and child online safety.
According to the DCDT, the proposed policy places strong emphasis on shielding children from harmful online material, including violent, sexual, deceptive, or manipulative content that is increasingly accessible through social media and streaming platforms.
The White Paper proposes mandatory safety requirements for technology and media platforms operating in South Africa. These obligations include robust age-verification systems, built-in parental controls, and clear content restrictions aimed at protecting minors.
The effort comes as South Africa, one of the most digitally connected countries on the continent, tries to balance expanding internet access with growing concerns about cyberbullying, exploitation, addictive platform design, and the exposure of children to inappropriate content. Digital rights advocates have repeatedly warned that African countries remain vulnerable to unregulated digital spaces, where global tech companies face minimal accountability.
