BANGKOK, THAILAND – A world-first social media ban for under-16s in Australia intensified the debate in Bangkok over how far the state should intervene in children’s digital lives.
Australia’s strict age limit sparks global attention
Australia had introduced a minimum age of 16 years for social media accounts under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill in December. Children and teenagers below that threshold were no longer allowed to hold their own accounts on major platforms such as TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads. The law targeted not only digital dependency but also platform designs that encouraged long online sessions and exposed minors to content that could harm their health and wellbeing.
Thai public strongly supportive but loopholes remain
According to the Ipsos Education Monitor 2025, 87 percent of respondents in Thailand supported the idea that children under 14 should have no access to social networks at all – the highest level among 30 countries surveyed. Legal loopholes and practical ways to circumvent restrictions nevertheless remained. International critics pointed to VPN services, streaming and gaming platforms, the risks of large-scale age verification and possible data protection breaches, and the lack of coverage for dating sites and online gaming, which posed similar dangers.
Mixed international experience with online safety laws
Several countries discussed or planned comparable measures: Denmark aimed to ban social media for under-15s, while Norway considered a similar approach. France recommended a ban below 15 and a form of online curfew for 15- to 18-year-olds, and Spain relied on parental consent for users under 16. In the United Kingdom, new online safety rules took effect in 2025, allowing heavy fines or prison sentences for those responsible if young users were not adequately protected, whereas in Utah a 2024 law to restrict social media access for minors without parental consent failed in a federal court.
School phone bans in Thailand struggle in practice
In Thailand, a ban on mobile phones in schools had been in place since 2017, introduced by the Ministry of Education. Enforcement, however, remained weak, as many parents viewed the rule as hard to apply in daily family life and students continued to use tablets or school computers to access social networks. A teacher at a school in the north of the country described a compromise model:
“Mobile phones are collected when students enter the school and may only be used in emergencies during breaks.”
said the teacher, adding that families could contact the school at any time and that without smartphones children had more time on the football field or dancing.
Is 16 the right age limit?
On Australia’s age threshold, the same teacher said:
“Sixteen is an appropriate age for the law in Australia. One could even raise the limit to 18 or 20, similar to the minimum age for alcohol consumption.”
said the teacher. At the same time, she stressed that some online offers were helpful for learning and that models requiring parental consent might be more realistic for Thailand.
Child protection officials warn of compounding risks
Thianthong Prasanpanich, head of the child and youth protection department at the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, viewed digital dangers as an added burden on already vulnerable students.
“Many students already experience violence from family, teachers and peers. Problems from social networks such as online dating and financial fraud are real concerns and hard to prevent.”
said Thianthong. She described awareness and willingness to report as crucial, stating:
“The most important factor is the awareness of children and adolescents and their courage to raise problems with parents or schools.”
said Thianthong.
Parents’ group calls for cooperation over blanket bans
Rata Kaewbuangoen, a representative of the Parents and Teachers Association of Samsen Wittayalai School and mother of two adult children, reported cases of cyberbullying and depression linked to social media.
“The law could work well in Thailand. But an interim solution would be for parents to check content before children post it.”
said Rata. Children aiming for a career as influencers could continue under parental supervision, she added, and noted:
“With or without a law, communication between students and parents is crucial.”
said Rata, explaining that PTAs often set up peer-support groups in classes to help young people with online or personal problems.
Mental health experts see gains from school phone bans
Dr Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, spokesperson for the Department of Mental Health, referred to international studies indicating that early access to mobile phones carried long-term risks for physical and psychological development. Research had shown that bans on phones in schools produced positive effects. Under such rules, he said, concentration in class, academic performance and social relationships and communication skills with peers improved.
More outdoor time, but concerns over emergency access
In some studies, schoolyard areas became livelier because children spent more time outdoors, which Dr Varoth described as an important factor for development.
“Less screen time can also reduce the extent of cyberbullying.”
said Dr Varoth. At the same time, he warned that critics feared disadvantages in emergencies and in the use of digital learning tools, arguing that regulations should be based on contributions from teachers, students and parents and must fit the local social context, as rules imposed only from above left children stressed and unclear about the reasons.
Doubts over enforceability of strict social media bans
Dr Varoth also highlighted mixed experiences in other countries with social media bans for children. Enforcement was difficult, he noted, because young users frequently created fake accounts or circumvented restrictions, and overly strict rules could stifle creativity.
“If regulations cannot be implemented in practice, they should not be introduced.”
said Dr Varoth.
Student voice: control, but with balance
Thanchanok Saengkhositthada, a 13-year-old student in Matthayom 2 (Grade 8) at Wat Bang Bo School in Bangkok, said the phone ban at her school had had a positive effect. Without smartphones, she reported, students spent more time with friends and were more focused in lessons.
“I think it is good if younger students do not have phones at school,”
said Thanchanok, adding that older students should have the right to use them and that the most important goal was to learn how to balance phone use responsibly in everyday life.