If we ban social media for under 16s... what are we going to fill the void with?
This isn’t a hypothetical. The Australian Government just passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, setting 16 as the new minimum age for certain platforms.
It’s bold. It’s messy. And in principle, I support it—especially because if everyone under 16 is off social, we kill the FOMO factor dead.
But still... what are we giving them instead?
It’s not enough to say “take the phone away”—we need to say “here’s what we’re offering instead.”
Let’s look at the options:
Sport? Not every kid’s thing.
Reading? A tough sell for some.
Scouts and Guides? Still great—but seen as a throwback.
Socialising? Slowly. Maybe. But not enough, not yet.
Music or dance? Great outlet, but costly and time-intensive.
Homework? Sure, but let’s not pretend that’s anyone’s idea of enrichment.
More screen time, just not social media? That’s like giving up cigarettes and switching to cigars.
Online courses? Sounds great—until you realize an 11-year-old isn’t signing up for Intro to Critical Thinking on their own.
Nature? Beautiful, free, and restorative—but it needs a guide.
Jobs? Paper runs are extinct, and child labour laws (thankfully) exist.
Board games? Fun for a night, not a movement.
Faith communities? For some, yes. For many, that’s a shrinking tent.
Volunteering? Amazing—but rare for under-16s without adults leading the way.
Youth groups? The right one can be gold—but not every family has access.
YouTube "learning"? Risky roulette—one moment it’s chemistry, the next it’s conspiracy.
More time with family? Beautiful in theory. In practice? Tricky without support.
Time with grandparents? Bingo. Underused, undervalued, and uniquely positioned.
So who’s stepping in to fill the gap?
We can’t expect stretched parents to do it all. But we can ask something of a generation that’s still got gas in the tank.
Boomers caught the economic tailwind of the 20th century: free uni, cheap homes, stable jobs.
Now the world needs a return on that investment—in the form of mentorship, time, and presence.
Don’t retire from life.
Don’t retreat into child-free gated communities.
Don’t underestimate your impact.
Your kids need backup.
Your grandkids need ballast.
And the future needs belief.
That’s why I started Best Grandad.
Not because I have all the answers—but because I’m not willing to sit back and do nothing.