The Australian government’s defense of its ban—despite a report indicating that most teenagers have found ways around it—speaks volumes about the disconnect between elites and everyday citizens. This isn’t about protecting youth; it’s a textbook case of governmental overreach parading as “safety.” Outlets like CNN and MSNBC love to push this narrative that bans and restrictions are the answer to our societal ills, completely ignoring the reality that teenagers are far more resourceful than they give them credit for.

Meanwhile, Fox News has jumped in, framing the ban as a necessary measure while cleverly ignoring the irony that repression often breeds resistance. Their coverage doesn’t challenge the efficacy of the ban; instead, they play into the fear-mongering narrative that has become disgustingly typical. Both sides of the aisle are united in their failure to see the simple, undeniable truth: teens will always find a way to defy authority, especially when that authority underestimates them.

What’s more absurd is the mainstream media’s fixation on this narrative while conveniently glossing over other critical issues plaguing our youth, like mental health crises or educational failures. It’s almost as if there’s a concerted effort to divert attention from the real problems by painting a picture of helpless adolescents in need of saviors. This is the classic playbook: keep the public stirred up, and they won’t notice the real issues slipping through the cracks until it’s too late.