7 Australian Teens React to the Country’s Social Media Ban

It’s what some media commentators are calling “D-Day.” On December 10, a new law that was passed by the Australian governent last November, titled the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, went into effect, restricting the use of social media for those under 16.

Now 10 of the largest platforms—Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Twitch, Threads, and Kick—must take what the law calls “reasonable steps” to prevent under 16s from having accounts or risk fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (about $33 million). Notably, if people under 16 access a restricted social media platform, there is no penalty for them or their caregivers.

“There’s no going back to a world without technology, and the internet has given all of us access to a world of knowledge and culture that can be such a force for good,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of the ban in a September 2024 opinion piece for the Herald Sun. “But, too often, social media isn’t social at all. Instead, it’s used as a weapon for bullies, a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators.”

It certainly seems like Australia’s new law could set a global precedent that impacts teens around the world, with lawmakers in the United States, France, Spain, and other nations considering the implementation of similar bans. Denmark and Malaysia have gone further, announcing plans to implement social media restrictions as early as next year.

Reactions to the ban from some child experts, parents, and teens, however, have been mixed. Some experts support the law’s stated intentions, but they express concern about the scope of the ban, including the impact it might have on teenagers of color, queer teenagers, and other marginalized groups that find unique community in online spaces; and the dangers that could come with pushing teenagers off mainstream platforms and into less regulated digital environments.

Many of the teenagers we spoke to were candid about the mental and physical harms that social media can amplify. The point on which most question the ban is the element of efficacy. Does prohibiting social media accounts for those under 16, they ask, address the fundamental issues that can arise from engaging with and creating online content? Will corporations be required to reform the algorithms that make their apps addictive, and in some cases, contribute to safety issues?

Below, hear directly from seven Australian teenagers about what this ban means for them and how they’re moving forward.

These responses have been condensed for clarity. Last names have been withheld to protect anonymity.

“I honestly didn’t think it would actually happen. Adults talk about it all the time, but it never goes anywhere, so I assumed it would kinda be like that. Then, the day before the ban kicked in, my friends started saying their accounts were getting deactivated and they couldn’t log in anymore, and that’s when it actually began to feel real. It was kind of scary, because social media is so present in my life, and to think it could be taken away like that so suddenly felt weird.”

“This is maybe controversial considering what other teens my age would say, but I feel that the social media ban is not a terrible idea, and it will benefit young generations. However, I say this as a 15-year-old who turns 16 in three months. For those who have a year or years before they can legally be on social media, I understand their frustrations towards the ban, especially because many of my friends and peers had similar feelings.

I feel like it’s difficult to distinguish the difference between 15- and 16-year-olds on this ban, making it hard to monitor, and people will find lots of loopholes around it. But at the end of the day, if it’s successful, it will be beneficial for kids under 16 because it will give them the opportunity to grow up without social media.”

“When I first heard about the social media ban as a 14-year-old Australian, I was shocked, irritated, and felt overlooked by most adults. I vividly remember when the word came out and around at school; it became a common factor in conversations. Classmates were wondering if it was real, or if it was just going to be a 14-hour ban, like how [the TikTok blackout] was for America. The more conversations I had about it, the more upset I got each time. Social media was a place where I could communicate with my friends, gain education and entertainment, as well as where I could relate to others through many things.

“Yet, in a way, I do acknowledge the reasons the government came to this decision. But I do also believe that there could have been a more reasonable age restriction. Individuals at 16 are expected to have jobs, start their learner’s license, and so much more, but aren’t ‘responsible enough’ to have their own social media account? The reasoning for the ban was partly influenced by harm towards teenagers, but what about harm towards them in school, sports, and more?

“I would have appreciated it more if the social media ban was set for those who are under 13 or 14 because of the difference in maturity, self-control, and resilience compared to those 14 and above. Although I am upset about it in the moment, I think that I will be able to move on from it quite easily.”

“It was all anyone at school could talk about. I know the government is trying to deal with things like online bullying and how addictive social media can be, but taking it away completely doesn’t feel like the right solution. I mostly used social media to stay connected with friends and follow creative stuff I love, and now everyone’s just trying to find workarounds anyway. To me, social media isn’t all bad; it can actually be fun and inspiring, and it would’ve made more sense to teach us how to use it safely instead of banning it.”

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“The ban is meant to address issues like harmful content, cyberbullying, and general mental and emotional health, but removing social media altogether ignores the many benefits it provides, from connection and creativity to community. Before the ban, I used social media every day to stay in touch with friends who lived far away from me (even people overseas) and to create and share content privately, which made it an easy and enjoyable way to stay connected.

“Now I think most teenagers will shift to basic texting or find alternative apps that aren’t included in the ban but essentially serve the same purpose. Many will also try to work around restrictions, since it’s difficult to detect who is 15 or 16 online.

“From my perspective, social media was a major connector for young people across Australia and the world. While the safety concerns are real, cutting off access entirely—rather than improving regulation—risks isolating young Australians from important social spaces, global conversations, and a digital world that helps them understand what’s happening around them.”

“When the social media ban was announced, I felt this mix of confusion and disbelief, like a huge part of normal teen life had suddenly been labeled ‘too dangerous’ for us. I get that adults are worried about things like mental health and online pressure, but banning the apps feels like avoiding the real problem instead of helping us deal with it.

“Social media was where I found communities, learned new things, and expressed myself, and losing that overnight feels unfair. I think most teens will still find ways to be online, but maybe now we’ll just do it in less open, less safe spaces. If anything, this ban shows how out of touch the rules are with how young people actually live and connect.”

“Before the ban, I used multiple social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitch, and others. Personally, I saw social media as a positive space where I could learn, laugh, and share interests—especially niche interests that people at school didn’t relate to. It was a place that helped me feel included, connected, and understood. While social media does have flaws, I mainly experienced it as a supportive environment where I could explore, learn from others, and find communities that made me feel like I belonged.”