ABC Radio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
From prohibition to social media - what makes bans succeed ... or fail?
From prohibition to social media - what makes bans succeed ... or fail?
From prohibition to social media - what makes bans succeed ... or fail?
Saturday 6th December 2025
Explore why some bans succeed and others fail, with insights from history, experts, and real-life stories.
30 minutes
Informative
Engaging
Eye-opening
Honest
Inspiring
About this podcast
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ABC Radio
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Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Parenting & Children
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Get the buttons here!Bans: Success Stories or Cautionary Tales?
Episode Overview
- Bans are more successful when people perceive the substance as harmful.
- Successful bans often have viable alternatives for what is restricted.
- Framing a ban as enhancing freedom can increase acceptance.
- Unintended consequences, like black markets, often follow bans.
- The link between social media use and mental health remains complex.
"It's human nature; people will find a way of getting around that."
Ever wondered why some bans work while others don't? This episode of 'All In The Mind' takes you on a historical journey from the prohibition era in the US to modern-day social media restrictions for under-16s in Australia. With insightful commentary from Dr Kate Harrison Brennan of The Sydney Policy Lab, the discussion highlights three key factors that determine a ban's success: public perception of harm, availability of alternatives, and how the ban is framed.
You'll hear about the unintended consequences of bans, like the black market boom post-prohibition, and the successful gun control laws in Australia. Dr Alexis Witten from The Black Dog Institute weighs in on the social media ban, highlighting the complexities of linking mental health with social media use. Through real-life anecdotes from teenagers and parents, this episode challenges us to think about how bans impact society and whether they truly offer freedom or just a temporary fix.
Are we protecting our youth or simply delaying the inevitable? Tune in to explore these pressing questions and more.