Australia’s sweeping new ban on social media use for people under 16 has prompted an immediate wave of resistance from teens who say the abrupt cutoff disrupts daily communication, school life, and social connections. The law, approved late last year and enacted this week, blocks access to major platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and Discord. It is the strictest national policy of its kind, positioned by government leaders as a child-safety measure amid wider concerns over online harm, data privacy, and the influence of digital platforms.
While many parents and educators welcomed the shift, young people have rapidly begun experimenting with ways to bypass the restrictions. Teens describe creating new accounts using adults’ information, using VPNs to mask their location, and relying on older siblings or friends to verify their ages. Informal online communities have emerged to troubleshoot technical barriers, trading tips on navigating verification systems, obtaining false IDs, or setting up accounts on allowed platforms that mimic social media functionality.
The new rules require platforms to confirm users are at least 16 through age-verification systems and to delete existing accounts belonging to younger users. Major tech companies have stated they will comply, and Australian regulators have indicated additional oversight and potential expansion of the ban as implementation evolves.
Despite the restrictions, the rollout has been uneven. Some families say the ban has reduced screen time and eased pressure on younger teens, while others argue it has caused new tensions, encouraging secretive behavior or pushing minors toward riskier online alternatives. Parents in remote regions note that social media previously helped children maintain friendships and social networks, especially where access to in-person activities is limited.
Advocacy groups supporting the ban view it as a necessary response to rising concerns over digital well-being. Still, many families counter that the government has inserted itself too deeply into household decisions. Critics also warn that removing teens from mainstream platforms may deprive them of positive online communities and essential communication tools.
Source: CNN