Boxing champion Jeff Horn backs under-16 social media ban to stop bullying

World boxing champion Jeff Horn warns social media robs kids of their childhood as he throws his support behind the government’s controversial under-16 ban.

Jeff Horn with daughters Elizabeth, 3, Charlotte, 6, and Isabelle, 7. Picture: Liam Kidston

Former world champion boxer Jeff Horn has thrown his welterweight behind the under-16 social media ban saying it will help give kids their childhood back and stop the scourge of bullying.

Horn has three daughters – Elizabeth, 3, Charlotte, 6, Isabelle, 7 – who he says are already into YouTube but are yet to ask about other platforms. He said he knew that day would come but the ban would ensure that awkward conversation was even further down the track.

“Social media is, I think, not good for kids … and I think it’s a great thing they’re not allowing kids of that age to be on it, because there’s no need for it,” he said. “They should have a childhood and not worry about what everyone else is thinking about them 24-7.”

Horn said the federal government’s decision to make it illegal for under-16s to access social media after News Corp Australia’s Let Them Be Kids campaign empowered parents to unite to keep younger children safe.

“I’m sure kids will figure out a way to try and cheat the system, which always happens, but we’ve just got to educate them that social media is not a place for a young kid,” he said.

“As a parent, going ‘don’t go on it, it’s not good for you’, it’s hard for kids, because they’re like, ‘well, all my friends are on it’, and then their family let’s them do it.

“It’s good that the government has said now it’s illegal for under-16s to do it, because then you can go, ‘well, that child definitely shouldn’t be on it’.

“It needs to be a blanket approach. Let kids be kids.”

Jeff Horn with daughters Elizabeth, 3, Charlotte, 6, and Isabelle, 7. Picture: Liam Kidston

Horn is an ambassador for Bullyproof Australia, which he co-founded with Glenn Rushton – who trained him to a world welterweight title against Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao in 2017.

The pair are issuing a statewide call-out for Queensland schools to sign up for their anti-bullying school program for 2026, with applications closing on Friday.

The $50,000 program, which is fully funded by the state government, is open to all Queensland primary and high schools to provide students and teachers with conflict-resolution and self-protection skills for physical, emotional and cyber bullying.

Almost 50 schools across the state have signed on so far.

“I was bullied at school and I want to make sure my three girls don’t suffer the same fate,” Horn said.

“I won a world title – I’m proud of that – but this is the most important and biggest fight of my life.”

Rushton said he applauded the federal government for taking further action against cyber bullying through the social media ban but it couldn’t just stop there.

“Taking away devices or restricting social media alone won’t fix the problem,” he said.

“What works is changing the culture – the way students think, behave and relate to each other.”

Schools interested in joining the 2026 intake can contact Bullyproof Australia directly on 1300 881 650 or visit the website.

Originally published as Boxing champion Jeff Horn backs under-16 social media ban to stop bullying