The annual Beaker Street Debate returns to the Main Stage, with possibly the most divisive topic yet:
Social media should be banned for Over-16s too!
Australia made headlines in late 2025 for being the first country to ban children from social media. But did we go far enough? As tech companies increasingly get compared to Big Tobacco, and evidence mounts of the harms these apps inflict on all of us, why shouldn't we protect adults too? Or is there still a place for social media in our lives and our society? After all, where else would we get our medical advice?
The long-time Beaker Street Debate host — the unrivalled, unbribable Natasha Mitchell — returns with two teams of science and culture heavy-hitters for this battle of brains and bravado.
The Debate will be recorded for broadcast on ABC Radio National's Big Ideas show.
This event is part of Beaker Street Festival 2026