News that an Australian-inspired childhood social media ban for children is to be instigated in the United Kingdom is certainly a feather in the cap for New Corp’s very logical “Let them be kids” campaign (“Britain’s AUS-Plus under-16 social ban”, DT, 16/6). However, optimising child safety online involves two considerations: minimising peer-to-peer conflicts and eliminating stranger danger. Much emphasis has been focused on the former, but not as much on the latter. Some parents proudly advertise their children to the world in detailed social media posts, oblivious to broader dangers. In 1960, an eight-year-old child was kidnapped and murdered a month after his parents won the Opera House Lottery. A win that was highly publicised at the time. Publicity can be toxic. Getting children off the internet, both as users and as the subjects, must surely be a worthy goal. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 17June2026
