Examining Australia’s Social Media Ban: The Global Debate

By: Makenzie Gaines & Aaliyah Michael, Seasonal Public Relations Interns | Digital4Good

“Play is the work of childhood,” writes Jonathan Haidt in The Anxious Generation. It’s through vigorous, unstructured play that young mammals — including humans — develop the social, cognitive, and emotional skills they need to thrive (Haidt, 2024, p. 57). But in today’s digital age, the vibrant playgrounds of the past have been replaced by endless scrolling, likes, and algorithms.

For Generation Z, the first cohort to grow up with smartphones and social media at their fingertips, this shift has come at a cost. Anxiety, depression, and self-harm rates among teens have surged in tandem with the rise of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. 

In response to these alarming trends, Australia is leading the charge with bold legislation to ban children under 16 from accessing social media altogether. The ban will take full effect towards the end of 2025. 

This proposed ban has sparked global debate: is it a necessary step to protect mental health, or does it risk oversimplifying a complex issue? By examining the implications of such measures, we aim to inspire a deeper conversation about how to create safer, healthier online spaces for young people.

Proponents of the Ban

Parent groups, anti-bullying advocates, and a significant proportion of Australian Gen Z’ers are the strongest supporters of the social media ban due to rising mental health issues and suicide rates associated with youths’ social media usage. 

We’ll examine several of the major arguments for the ban and the possible benefits that could arise as a result of its implementation.

Arguments for Social Media Restriction

• Improved Mental Health: Overconsumption of social media has been shown to damage users’ self-esteem and increase stress and anxiety. With reduced screen time — and more time invested in activities outside of the digital world — symptoms of conditions such as anxiety and depression may become less severe. 
• Increased Productivity: Unrestricted cell phone use during school hours impairs students’ focus and academic performance. Fewer digital distractions may drive students to spend less time online and more time completing assignments and participating in school clubs. 
• Enhanced Connections: Over-reliance on digital communication can hamper the development of interpersonal skills and ability to recognize social cues. According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, “Excessive cellphone use can distract from in-person socialization and is associated with loneliness among adolescents.” Social media restriction may encourage students to communicate with their peers in person more frequently. 

Opponents of the Ban

Youth advocacy groups and students have openly opposed the ban, citing potential issues such as a dissatisfied youth, lack of entertainment, and difficulty acclimating to social media past the age of 16. 

Arguments Against Social Media Restriction

• Risky Alternatives: When a service is restricted by law, citizens often resort to alternative modes of access, even if those methods are unsafe. A Sydney school student interviewed by Reuters posited that “a total ban may drive young people to less visible, more dangerous parts of the internet.” 
• Decreased Learning Opportunities: For many students, social media serves as a convenient source of information on topics such as study methods and personal care, delivered through engaging media like how-to videos and infographics. Access to social media can also help students practice identifying online misinformation and differentiating between real and AI-generated content. 
• Strained International Relations: The nationwide ban could negatively impact relations between Australia and major social media companies — and, by extension, the countries in which those companies are based. According to reporters Praveen Menon and Byron Kaye, “the ban could…strain Australia's relationship with key ally the United States, where X owner Elon Musk, a central figure in the administration of president-elect Donald Trump, said in a post [in November] it seemed a ‘backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians.’”

Navigating the New Norm 

Even with nationwide social media restrictions in place, topics like digital citizenship and literacy remain highly relevant. By helping your child practice these skills, you’ll set them up for future success in the digital era.

Tips for Parents and Students

• Screen Time 
  • Parent: Monitoring your child’s screen time and promoting offline activities are essential for digital wellness. Encourage your child to join school clubs or extracurricular activities and engage in hobbies that do not involve social media.
  • Student: Looking at a screen for too long can lead to issues like eye strain and disrupted sleep. Set reminders for yourself to take regular breaks from screen time, and avoid using your phone less than an hour before bed.

 
• Privacy
  • Parent: Safeguarding your child’s online security and privacy is crucial in this digital age. Take time to familiarize yourself with the parental controls on your child’s social media apps (e.g. Instagram's new Teen Accounts feature). 
  • Student: Be mindful of what you share online. We urge you to “never share personal details such as your address, phone number, or school name with anyone you meet online. This information can be misused and put you in danger.”
 
• Etiquette 
  • Parent: On your child’s social media app(s) of choice, review the reporting guidelines with them so they know what to do when they notice toxic behavior online.
  • Student: As with in-person interactions, it’s important to be mindful of how you treat others online — potentially even more so, since you can’t always read the other person’s expression, tone, or body language. Showing respect and kindness contributes to a more positive online experience for all. 

Bans in Other Countries 

Is there a chance of a nationwide social media ban happening in other countries? With the proven health benefits of decreased social media usage, we may expect to see more countries follow Australia’s lead. In the United States, we’re already seeing an increase in social media restrictions for minors in individual states. 

For the foreseeable future, however, digital technology will continue to play a role in students’ academic, personal, and professional lives. And with the proper guidance, they’ll be able to navigate the digital world with confidence.

For more resources on digital wellness, privacy, and etiquette, try our Digital Safety Course for parents and families.