The New Victorian Internet: How Social Media Restrictions Are Reshaping Youth Digital Life

Oct 18, 2025 05:30 pm CST

As countries worldwide implement social media age restrictions to protect young minds, a deeper cultural shift emerges that resembles Victorian-era moral control. While Australia leads with under-16 bans and other nations follow suit, these regulations raise important questions about balancing protection with young people's digital agency. Rather than simply restricting access, should we instead hold platforms accountable while recognizing the innovative ways youth navigate and shape digital spaces?