A New South Wales family who run a popular vlogging channel have declared they will attempt to circumvent Australia's impending social media ban for users under 16, arguing the platforms have been a positive and financially rewarding force in their household.
The Babsquad Family's Stance
Courtney and John Babic, who operate the family YouTube channel 'Babsquad' with their four children all aged under 16, say the blanket prohibition set to commence on December 10 is misguided. The family, which also maintains a significant presence on Instagram and TikTok, believes the law punishes families who use social media responsibly.
Speaking to Sunrise, Courtney Babic explained that every family's relationship with social media is unique. She emphasised that their children's online activities are supervised and have yielded constructive outcomes. "I feel like we're being punished a little bit," she said. "We've put in the hard work and I feel like if you put in the hard work and you have guidance with your kids it really does limit those negatives happening."
Financial Benefits and Existing Safeguards
John Babic highlighted the economic advantage for his children, three of whom are active on social platforms. He stated they can earn substantial amounts from home through activities like online streaming, which he views as preferable to traditional part-time work.
"They can earn quite a bit of money without having to go and get a job and spend hours and hours away from home and away from their schooling," John said. "I mean (it) depends on the day but they can earn up to $500, $1,000 a day just doing their online streaming. That's for an hour or two."
The couple insists they already employ robust safety measures, using both built-in parental controls within the apps and third-party monitoring software to protect their children. John argued that government investment in promoting these existing third-party safety applications would have been a more effective strategy than an outright ban.
Navigating the Upcoming Ban
With the social media ban looming, Courtney admitted the family will try to find a way around the new restrictions, acknowledging the challenge it presents. "Naturally we will because they're kids, kids are always going to find a way around things so naturally, we will," she told Sunrise.
However, she expressed uncertainty about their chances of success and the broader impact of the legislation. "But whether we succeed or not, we just don't know. We don't know what life is going to look like after. I don't think that anyone does," Courtney concluded.
The Babic family's stance highlights a growing debate about online safety, parental responsibility, and the effectiveness of broad legislative solutions in regulating children's access to digital platforms.
