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Australia Bans Social Media for Children

Australia is banning social media for children under the age of 16.

It’s true.

The evidence of the negative mental health effects of social media could no longer be ignored, and so, the government took the protection of the nation's children into its own hands.

This was not done without controversy. There was an outcry over freedom, human rights and everything you can imagine in response to the new law. But perhaps the biggest criticism was:

So what?

You can put a ban on social media, good luck regulating and enforcing it. Just as the age old saying says “Where there is a will, there is a way.” And children will find a way.

Maturity in Christian Living

This whole story got me thinking about maturity.

The argument for this law is that children are not mature enough to handle the negative side-effects of social media use. So the government had to act on behalf of the children because children need care, guidance and boundaries to go the “right” direction in life.

In Hebrews 6:1, the writer says:

When we are young in the faith, just like the Australian children, we need others who know better to help guide us down the right path.  But when we become older in the faith, we become stronger, more stable and more certain. We walk closer to the way Jesus intended for us to walk.

We become mature.

But maturity does not just happen.

Unlike the development of a child, maturity in faith is not just a consequence of time. Maturity is a consequence of experience. Maturity is about day in and day out, “practicing your faith.” Trying and failing. Doing what Jesus asked us to do. Living out what we believe.

This is what brings us to maturity.

Application

What does this mean for you and me?

It means “being a Christian” isn’t enough. Jesus calls us to grow in maturity in our faith – and that only happens by living it out. It isn’t always easy. In fact, most times it is difficult. That is why Jesus calls it a narrow road. But let me tell you…

The reward is oh so sweet!

Be Blessed,

Aaron

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