The under-16 social media ban by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has been criticised by former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop, who has requested the proposal be abolished.

In an interview with the Sky News host, Rowan Dean, Bishop suggested that the government should make decisions that relate to online safety, not an independent commissioner.

She described the tenure of Inman Grant as being catastrophic since the first day, stating that the current strategy is too ambitious and does not deal with the true problems of the youth on the Internet. Bishop proposed that rather than making blanket restrictions on the minors, the government should aim at formulating clear, accountable legislation.

Her remarks contribute to the ever-increasing discussion on the topic of youth social media usage, as opponents regard the prohibition to be unrealistic, and those who support it believe that this measure is vital to child protection.