Australia's move to restrict social media access for those under 16 has sparked interesting debates. A specialist from a gaming disorder treatment facility recently weighed in, backing the age restriction while pointing out something crucial—the real battle isn't just about age gates.

The focus, according to clinical experts, should shift toward two critical areas: filtering out genuinely harmful content and addressing the manipulative design patterns that make certain games deliberately addictive. It's not just about keeping kids off platforms; it's about cleaning up what's on them.

This perspective highlights a broader challenge facing digital platforms globally—balancing accessibility with user protection, especially when design mechanics intentionally exploit behavioral triggers. Regulatory measures might be evolving, but the conversation around content moderation and ethical design practices is far from over.