“We keep an eye on his social media interactions, like if he’s been in touch with a stranger or not,” Pokharel, who heads a language school in Melbourne, said.

Rahul Pokharel believes social media helps kids like his son to connect with family overseas. Credit: SBS Nepali / Sapana Phuyal (inset) and Pexel / Kampas Production

Still, he is aware social media offers a valuable way to connect across cultures and borders.

“(My son) uses it to remain in touch with family in Nepal and overseas … so I feel we could have done without the ban,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the law aims to reduce the harm done to children by such platforms.

Faith Gordon, associate professor at the Australian National University College of Law. Credit: Tom Fearon, ANU

But, media law expert says the ban is a “blunt instrument” and a “knee-jerk policy decision”.

Some also say the change risks further isolating children from migrant communities who may already be struggling for a sense of belonging.

While most children might be using social media as a tool of connection, Khadka urged parents to play a bigger role in monitoring and guiding them.

Shreeyam Sapkota (left), Arya Bhattarai (centre), and Rishan Shrestha (right) are among the “lucky” ones who will escape the social media ban when it comes into effect later this year. Credit: SBS Nepali / Sameer Ghimire

Arya Bhattarai recently turned 16, so she will escape the outlawing.

But Luiz Ghimire won’t be so “lucky”.

Luiz Ghimire thinks the ban is unfair. Credit: SBS Nepali / Sapana Phuyal

For the 10-year-old, the ban is going to affect how she remains connected with family overseas.

“Our parents are not always home, so if we long the need to connect to our grandparents, the ban will unfairly disadvantage us,” she said.

‘A social responsibility’

“I would rather see children focus more on their studies,” she said.

Koirala, who said her own 13-year-old daughter is “glued” to her mobile, further argued peer pressure is a key driving force leading to social media addiction.

Anu Koirala is a teacher and a mother. Credit: SBS Nepali / Sapana Phuyal (inset) and Pexel / Yan Krukau

Some say the right to classify what is good or bad for children should stay with their parents.

Connected despite distance

He said social media can play a role in helping people stay socially connected despite physical distances.

Dr Anupam Pokharel says the ban will help young people. Credit: Supplied by Anupam Pokharel (inset) and Pexel / Designecologist

However, Dr Pokharel also argued that the ban is a good step in trying to save kids from online bullying.

Likening it to the film and television program classification system, he said, “Viewer discretion, or rather (applying) age discretion, is a good thing (for the moderation of social media access).”

This story includes additional reporting from SBS Chinese’s Lihua Luo.