A Christian theologian has warned that Australia’s world-first ban on social media for under-16s risks sending the message that young believers cannot be trusted to use digital spaces safely.
Dr. Robin Barfield, lecturer in practical theology at Oak Hill College, told Premier Christian News that the move raised “deep questions about agency” for young Christians.
Ten of the largest online platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, have been ordered to block children from their apps starting Tuesday or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (£24.7 million) under the new law.
Elon Musk’s X has refused to comply, arguing the ban “seems like a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians.” The platform has joined wider complaints about free speech, with a High Court challenge now pending.
Speaking to Premier, Barfield said the ban appeared to have been introduced because “tech companies weren’t doing enough to protect young people online,” but warned that governments risked focusing only on the dangers.
He added that children were “made in the image of God” and should be listened to, noting that young Australians interviewed by other media had already expressed mixed views.
“Some were saying, ‘It’s quite insulting actually. You don’t trust us on this,’” he said.
Barfield cautioned that removing teenagers entirely from social media could backfire. “If a young person hits 16 having never been on social media… to suddenly be on there would actually be more dangerous.”
He added that many under-16s would likely find ways around restrictions because “they are better at tech than us old folk.”
Barfield said Christians needed a more balanced view of digital life. “God has created technology as both a blessing and a curse… We see connectivity and creativity, but we also see harm,” he said.
He argued that withdrawing young believers from online spaces entirely implies that “you can’t be a Christian on there.”
He urged churches and parents to help teenagers navigate social media thoughtfully, saying, “We need to take young people as individuals… and work out a healthy way forward where they can be faith-filled Christians online.”
Tama Leaver, a professor of internet studies at Curtin University, told Reuters that “Governments around the world are watching how the power of Big Tech was successfully taken on. The social media ban in Australia … is very much the canary in the coal mine.”