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Australia enforces social media ban for under-16s
A month after Australia implemented a ban on social media for users under 16, teenagers report mixed reactions-from newfound freedom to persistent workarounds. The policy, aimed at curbing online harm, has sparked debate over its long-term impact on youth behavior.
Amy's journey: From addiction to liberation
Fourteen-year-old Amy from Sydney described the initial withdrawal as jarring. On the second day of the ban, she instinctively reached for Snapchat, a platform she had used daily since age 12. By day four, however, her perspective shifted.
"While it's sad that I can't snap my friends, I can still text them on other platforms and I honestly feel kind of free knowing that I don't have to worry about doing my streaks anymore."
Amy, 14, Sydney
Snapchat's "streaks"-a feature requiring daily exchanges to maintain a virtual connection-had been a source of stress. A month later, Amy's routine has transformed. She now reaches for her phone less frequently and avoids the algorithm-driven spiral of TikTok and Instagram that once consumed her time.
Workarounds and unintended consequences
Not all teens have embraced the change. Thirteen-year-old Aahil, also from Sydney, continues to spend roughly two and a half hours daily on social media, unchanged from before the ban. He bypasses restrictions using fake birthdays on YouTube and Snapchat and spends more time on Roblox and Discord, neither of which are restricted.
"It hasn't really changed anything. Most of my friends still have active social media accounts."
Aahil, 13, Sydney
Aahil's mother, Mau, has noticed a shift-though not the one policymakers hoped for. "He's moodier," she said, attributing it to increased video game use. "When he was on social media, he was more social... more talkative with us."
Psychological effects and compensatory behaviors
Consumer psychologist Christina Anthony explained that social media serves as a coping mechanism for many teens, helping manage boredom, stress, and social anxiety. Its sudden removal can trigger irritability or restlessness, though over time, young people may develop healthier alternatives.
"For many teenagers, social media isn't just entertainment-it's a tool for managing boredom, stress, and social anxiety, and for seeking reassurance or connection."
Christina Anthony, Consumer Psychologist
The ban has also driven teens toward alternative platforms. Apps like Lemon8, Yope, and Coverstar saw a surge in downloads before the ban, though interest has since waned. WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger have become popular substitutes for banned platforms, preserving peer connections.
Gaming platforms fill the void
Critics of the ban argue that gaming platforms like Roblox, Discord, and Minecraft-excluded from the restrictions-serve similar social functions. Mark Johnson, a digital cultures lecturer at the University of Sydney, noted that while some parents welcome the reduced screen time, others lament the loss of easy communication channels for their children.
"A lot of parents seem to be reassured and pleased that their children and teenagers are spending far less time in social media. Equally, some are lamenting the newfound difficulty their young people are having in communicating with their friends."
Mark Johnson, University of Sydney
Johnson added that gaming platforms require more technical knowledge and hardware, making them less accessible than social media for some teens.
Government defends the policy
The Australian government, which introduced fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million) for non-compliant tech companies, maintains that the ban is achieving its goals. A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that the policy is "making a real difference" and has drawn global interest.
"Delaying access to social media is giving young Australians three more years to build their community and identity offline, starting with spending more time with family and friends over the summer holidays."
Spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells
The eSafety Commissioner will release findings on the ban's effectiveness, including the number of deactivated accounts, in the coming weeks.
Unforeseen benefits and lingering questions
Amy highlighted an unexpected advantage of the ban following the Bondi Beach shootings on December 14, where 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah event. She avoided the flood of distressing content on TikTok, which she might have otherwise encountered.
"After the Bondi Beach incident, I was glad that I had not spent too long on TikTok, as I would have likely been exposed to an overwhelming amount of negative information and potentially disturbing content."
Amy, 14, Sydney
Her mother, Yuko, observed that Amy seems more content spending time alone, though she remains uncertain whether the ban is the cause. "It's hard to say yet whether [the ban] will be a positive or negative change-only time will tell."
