United Kingdom, July 16 -- Scientists have warned that sweeping restrictions on teenagers' access to social media could do more harm than good, arguing that blanket bans fail to address the underlying causes of problematic online behaviour.

In a paper published in the British Medical Journal, researchers said policies similar to those being introduced or considered around the world, including Australia's under-16 social media ban and proposals in the European Union, Britain and elsewhere, risk producing unintended consequences while leaving the root issues unchanged.

According to the researchers, banning access to major platforms could simply encourage young people to migrate to private or less regulated online spaces that are more diff...