Australia's Social Media Ban: Protecting or Isolating the Next Generation?

A deep dive into Australia's legislation, the science of social media's impact on youth, and the evolving debate on digital well-being.

We are all guilty of that late-night, mindless scrolling; those moments when we find ourselves deep in social media or news feeds when we should be winding down. I've recognized how this habit was affecting my well-being and decided to take control. I am extremely conscious about social media addiction and not falling into that deep, dark hole for hours of mindless scrolling at any time of the day.

I've established some self-imposed digital boundaries that have truly changed my relationship with technology. One of my most important rules is not picking up my phone after 8:30 PM each evening.

This simple boundary, along with strict sleep hygiene practices (such as wearing blue light blockers), helps protect my nightly rest. While I'm not perfect (I certainly have moments when these rules slip), I've become much more reflective of my phone habits. A helpful metric has been checking my device statistics through my phone's general settings, which provides weekly updates on my usage patterns. I've seen real progress in reducing my phone pickups from what used to be in the three digits has now decreased to two digits!

Ok, so I am a mature (well, my age is mature) adult who has learned self-regulation techniques, and apparently, I am less prone to impulsive behaviour. Are younger children and teenagers mature enough to exercise self-regulation and restraint when it comes to social media use?

In a move that has captured global attention, Australia is set to implement a landmark social media ban for individuals under the age of 16, starting December 10, 2025. The legislation, known as the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, represents one of the most significant government interventions into the digital lives of young people to date. This has ignited a fierce debate, pitting concerns for child safety and mental health against arguments for digital freedom and the potential benefits of online communities. Let's explore this new Australian law, the growing body of research on both the positive and negative impacts of social media on adolescents, and I hope to offer a perspective on how our understanding of this complex issue has evolved.

The Australian Legislation: A Closer Look

Australia's new law, which passed in November 2024, will require social media platforms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent anyone under 16 from creating or maintaining an account. The legislation has received international praise, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating that Europe is "watching and will be learning from" Australia's example [1].

The eSafety Commissioner, Australia's online safety regulator, has been tasked with enforcing the new rules. While major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are the primary targets, the commissioner has also contacted a wider range of companies, including Reddit, Twitch, and even gaming platforms like Roblox and Steam, to assess their compliance obligations [2].

It's important to note that the legislation is not a blanket "ban" in the sense that it penalizes young users or their parents. Instead, the onus is on the tech companies, who will face significant penalties for non-compliance. The government's rationale is to give children "three more years of being shaped by real-life experience, not algorithms," as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated [1].

Key Aspect	Details
Legislation	Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024
Effective Date	December 10, 2025
Age Limit	16 years old
Enforcement	eSafety Commissioner
Affected Platforms	Major social media platforms, with potential extension to others
Penalties	Applied to platforms, not users or parents

This move comes amid growing global concern about the impact of social media on young people's mental health. But what does the research actually say?

The Dark Side: Documented Harms of Social Media

The push for stricter regulation is fueled by a growing mountain of evidence pointing to the potential negative consequences of excessive social media use, particularly for developing minds. A 2023 systematic review published in the Cureus journal highlighted several key risks, including cyberbullying, privacy concerns, and negative effects on schooling and mental health [3]. The review also pointed to a correlation between high social media use and increased mental distress, self-harming behaviors, and suicidality.

"Adolescents increasingly find it difficult to picture their lives without social media. Practitioners need to be able to assess risk, and social media may be a new component to consider... According to data from several cross-sectional, longitudinal, and empirical research, smartphone and social media use among teenagers relates to an increase in mental distress, self-harming behaviors, and suicidality." - Khalaf et al., 2023 [3]

More recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) paints an even more concerning picture. A 2024 study found a sharp rise in problematic social media use among adolescents, from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. The WHO defines this as a pattern of behavior with addiction-like symptoms, including an inability to control usage and experiencing withdrawal when not using it [4].

Negative Impact	Key Research Findings
Mental Health	Increased risk of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Sleep	Chronic sleep loss due to late-night use and blue light exposure.
Addiction	"Problematic social media use" with addiction-like symptoms is on the rise.
Cyberbullying	Increased exposure to online harassment and its mental health consequences.
Body Image	Unrealistic beauty standards and social comparison can lead to body dissatisfaction.

The Other Side of the Screen: The Benefits of Social Media

While the risks are significant, a complete ban overlooks the genuine benefits that social media can offer young people. For many, these platforms are a lifeline, providing a sense of community and connection that may be unavailable to them offline. The U.S. Surgeon General's advisory on youth mental health acknowledges that social media can provide positive community and connection with others who share identities, abilities, and interests [5].

This is particularly true for marginalized youth. Research has shown that social media can support the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth by enabling peer connection and identity development. Similarly, a majority of adolescents report that social media helps them feel more accepted and supported [5].

"The primary benefit is social connection, and that’s true for teens who are connecting with friends they already have or making new connections. On social media, they can find people who share their identities and interests." - Jacqueline Nesi, PhD, quoted in the APA Monitor on Psychology [6]

Beyond social connection, social media can be a powerful tool for learning and creativity. A 2024 article from The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health highlights how platforms like TikTok and Instagram can be a source of inspiration and informal learning, from new recipes to interesting facts on a wide range of topics [7].

Positive Impact	Key Research Findings
Social Connection	Helps teens feel more connected to friends and provides a sense of belonging.
Support for Marginalized Youth	Offers a lifeline and a supportive community for LGBTQ+ youth and other marginalized groups.
Identity and Self-Expression	Provides a space for creative expression and identity exploration.
Informal Learning	Access to a wide range of information, new skills, and educational content.
Civic Engagement	Opportunities to learn about current events and engage with social issues.

A Shifting Perspective: From Digital Optimism to Cautious Pragmatism

Five years ago, the conversation around social media was markedly different. The dominant narrative was one of digital optimism, celebrating the power of these platforms to connect the world, foster creativity, and give a voice to the voiceless. From that perspective, the idea of a government-mandated age restriction would have seemed like a heavy-handed and unnecessary intrusion into the lives of young people. The focus was on digital literacy and parental guidance as the primary tools for navigating the online world.

However, the last five years have brought a wave of new research and a growing awareness of the potential for harm. The evidence linking excessive social media use to mental health issues, addiction, and sleep disruption has become too compelling to ignore. The once-celebrated algorithms are now seen as potentially manipulative, designed to maximize engagement at the expense of well-being. This has led to a significant shift in my own perspective, from one of near-unconditional support for digital freedom to a more cautious and pragmatic approach.

While I still believe in the power of social media to do good, I now recognize that the digital environment is not a level playing field. The sophisticated psychological techniques used by social media companies to capture and hold the attention of users, particularly young users, create a power imbalance that cannot be addressed by digital literacy alone. In this context, a measure like Australia's social media ban seems less like an overreach and more like a necessary, if imperfect, attempt to rebalance the scales and protect a vulnerable population.

Conclusion: A Difficult but Necessary Conversation

Australia's social media ban is a bold experiment, and the world will be watching to see its effects. It is not a perfect solution, and it raises valid concerns about enforcement, age verification, and the potential for a "forbidden fruit" effect. However, it has forced a critical and long-overdue conversation about the role of social media in the lives of young people.

The research is clear: social media is a double-edged sword. It can be a source of connection, creativity, and support, but it can also be a source of harm, anxiety, and addiction. The challenge for parents, educators, and policymakers is to find a way to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks.

Ultimately, the solution will likely involve a combination of approaches, including government regulation, platform accountability, and robust digital literacy education. Australia's new law is just one piece of the puzzle, but it is a significant step towards creating a healthier and safer digital environment for the next generation.

References

[1] Reuters. (2025, September 25). Australia's social media ban for teens draws praise at UN. https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/australias-social-media-ban-teens-draws-praise-un-2025-09-25/

[2] The Guardian. (2025, September 24). Australia’s under 16s social media ban could extend to Reddit, Twitch, Roblox and even dating apps. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/sep/24/australia-under-16-social-media-ban-could-extend-reddit-twitch-roblox-lego-play-steam-dating-apps

[3] Khalaf, A. M., Alubied, A. A., Khalaf, A. M., & Rifaey, A. A. (2023). The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 15(8), e42990. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10476631/

[4] World Health Organization. (2024, September 25). Teens, screens and mental health. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health

[5] U.S. Public Health Service. (2023). Social Media and Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594763/

[6] Weir, K. (2023, September 1). Social media brings benefits and risks to teens. Psychology can help identify a path forward. Monitor on Psychology, 54(6). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/09/protecting-teens-on-social-media

[7] The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health. (2024, May 16). Social media's hidden benefits for teens. https://www.thelatrust.org/articles/social-medias-hidden-benefits-for-teens