COMMENT | Malaysia is considering a social media ban for children under 16, following a series of distressing incidents involving children harming other children in schools.

Although the causes for such violence are undetermined and multi-varied, the proposal is motivated by genuine concern about social media. However, will a ban work to protect children from the deeper, structural issues with social media?

A ban may sound decisive, yet it is far from a silver bullet. The reality of digital life is far more complex.

Experience elsewhere suggests that keeping children off social media is easier said than done. In Australia, for instance, platforms will soon be required to take “reasonable steps” to prevent those under 16 from creating accounts.

However, before the measures even take effect, there is already talk of young people...