Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, has spoken out against Australia’s new social media regulations, calling them an “unmitigated disaster” and an “embarrassment.” He argues that the policies are teaching young people to accept surveillance and overreach by tech companies when they go online. Wales’s comments come amid ongoing debates about how to manage social media use by minors and the role of government regulation.

Wales on the Root of Internet Toxicity

Wales reminisced about the internet before the rise of social media, pointing to platforms like Usenet, which he describes as a “giant, unmoderated message board.” According to him, toxicity existed even then, with flame wars and personal attacks being common. He emphasized that humans don’t need algorithms to be mean to each other, highlighting that online hostility has always been part of digital spaces. Wales suggests that social media has only amplified these issues, rather than creating new problems.

He also noted that social media platforms often promote aggressive behavior because engagement algorithms reward controversial content. This stands in contrast to Wikipedia’s community-driven model, where rules emphasize civility and no personal attacks. Wales believes that the core principle of Wikipedia—maintaining respectful discussion—is something that social media platforms could learn from but often do not follow.

Criticism of Australia’s Social Media Policies

Wales is in Australia for writers’ festivals and has been vocal about his opposition to government efforts to restrict teen access to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. He describes the bans as “madness” and “really unsafe,” criticizing the requirement for minors to prove their age through personal information. Wales argues that such measures expose children to risks and are based on a “massive moral panic” about social media’s dangers.

He pointed out recent changes on platforms like Roblox, which now use facial recognition to verify ages and create safe spaces for different age groups. Wales sees these technological solutions as better ways to protect children than forcing them off social media entirely. He also warns against pressuring kids to turn on cameras or share personal data, calling it unsafe and unnecessary.

Overall, Wales believes that society is overreacting to the supposed dangers of social media. He argues that many of the fears are exaggerated, and that banning or heavily restricting minors’ access does more harm than good. Instead, he advocates for better education around digital safety and parental controls, rather than sweeping bans that push children toward secrecy or unsafe online behaviors.

Inspired by

• https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/04/wikipedia-founder-brands-australias-social-media-ban-an-unmitigated-disaster-and-an-embarrassment

Sources

• adjust.com