Event: Rogero

Quick GuideContributorsShowTiago Rogero in Rio de JaneiroSam Jones in Madrid Angelique Chrisafis in Paris Natasha May in BangkokHelena Smith in Athens Leyland Cecco in Toronto Hannah Ellis-Petersen in DelhiJennifer Rankin in Brussels Dan Milmo in LondonKate Connolly in Berlin Miranda Bryant Alastair McCready in TaipeiRachel Savage in Johannesburg Ankita Rao Nick Robins-EarlyWhen Australia launched its ban on social media for children under the age of 16 in December, its global impact remained to be seen. The world watched with keen interest as the country adopted the most far-reaching ban yet, amid a global mix of incredulity, admiration and – among some – a staunch belief that many children would find a way to circumvent it.Months later, it became clear that Australia’s efforts were the start of a global reckoning; in March, Indonesia began blocking children under the age of 16 from accessing most social media and Malaysia followed suit this month. Last week Britain announced its own ban, which it plans to have in place by early 2027.Australia’s ban has become a kind of “bellwether”, says Justin Hendrix, the chief executive and editor of Tech Policy Press, a nonprofit media venture that since February has been tracking efforts in more than 40 countries to ban children from accessing social media. “It certainly seemed to spark a curiosity among other regulators.”The risks of a laissez-faire approach have been laid bare by a mounting number of lawsuits. Photograph: Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty ImagesWhat exactly will come of all this remains to be seen, says Hendrix. “The phrase ‘tech’s “big tobacco” moment’ has been bandied about. It’s certainly the case that there is a more substantial body of evidence now than perhaps ever before about the harms and the addictive qualities of social media. But I would say that science is not entirely settled,…