Is banning children from social media smart or excessive?

As Australia moves to restrict children under 16 from accessing social media, several Asian countries are signalling they may follow suit. Malaysia’s government plans to stop under-16s from creating social media accounts, while Indonesia has also expressed interest in adopting a similar policy. But does banning teenagers really address online harms, or does it raise new questions about enforcement, digital rights, and growing up online? Asia Specific host Mariko Oi is joined by BBC Australia correspondent Katy Watson and Indonesian influencer Indah G to look at what’s driving these proposed bans, how young people might respond, and whether regulation - rather than education - is the right answer for the region. Asia Specific brings you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the Asia Pacific region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between China and Donald Trump, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy - we unpack what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk