Restricting under-18s from social media isn’t about isolating them—it’s about disrupting the predator operational model. Mainstream apps currently act as a massive, open directory for perpetrators to source, profile, and target vulnerable children.
By enforcing strict age restrictions or bans, we collapse the primary "funnel" for initial contact. If minors aren't accessible on public platforms, the surface area for predators to discover and approach new victims shrinks drastically.
Grooming relies on specific platform mechanics: direct messaging from strangers, public searchability, and algorithmic recommendations. Restricting minor access effectively neutralises the exact tools used to initiate and escalate exploitation.
Ultimately, strict laws force tech companies to take accountability. When platforms face severe penalties for allowing underage users into high-risk digital spaces, they are finally incentivised to build robust age-verification and proactive moderation.