According to a 2025 study by researchers at Cornell University and Columbia University, 40% of participating children showed addictive use of social media that distracted from important responsibilities like school work or chores. Furthermore, addictive screen use was linked to worse mental health and suicidal behavior.

YouTube will be included in Australia's world-first social media ban for children under 16, after the government ditched a previous exemption for the platform. The video sharing site was set to be excluded from the ban - which will limit TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and Snapchat and is due to start in December.