Should Kids Under 16 Be Banned From Social Media? We Asked Them

Should we ban social media for kids under 16? We keep asking parents, politicians and tech companies. But what happens when we ask the kids themselves? At 13 and 17, Zachary Fathally and Lauren Wilson of Children First Canada sit on opposite sides of one of the biggest debates around kids, social media and online safety—and their answers may surprise you. In this episode of Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal talks with Lauren and Zachary about what it actually feels like to grow up online, from addictive algorithms and doomscrolling to dangerous DMs, AI chatbots, social pressure and the reasons kids may not tell their parents when something goes wrong. In this episode, you'll uncover: 🎧 Do kids actually want social media banned under 16? 🎧 Why young people feel pressure to be online—even when they know it affects them 🎧 Why kids may hide online harms from their parents 🎧 Which features make some social media platforms feel more harmful than others 🎧 How doomscrolling and algorithms affect attention and mental health 🎧 What kids really think about AI chatbots and online relationships 🎧 Who they believe should be responsible: parents, government, tech companies—or kids themselves 🎧 What they would change about social media if they had the power 🎧 What they wish parents understood about growing up online This isn't adults talking about kids. It's kids telling us what we're getting wrong. If you're a parent, educator, healthcare provider—or anyone concerned about social media, screen time, youth mental health and online safety—this conversation offers a perspective we don't hear nearly enough. At Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal brings you conversations at the intersection of longevity, women's health, mental health, self-advocacy, and healthcare innovation, helping you understand the hidden systems shaping how you feel, move, and heal. 🎧Tune in and join Dr. Meenal Agarwal as we reimagine what it means to be well in today's complex healthcare system. Because healing starts with understanding—and Uncovering Your Eyes. Learn more about Children First Canada at ChildrenFirstCanada.org Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal