Australia's teen social media ban: Early signs of change, workarounds and uncertainty

One month after Australia enforced a nationwide ban on social media use for children aged 16 and under, early experiences suggest mixed outcomes, with some teenagers reporting positive behavioural changes while others continue to access platforms through alternative means, reports BBC.

The ban, which came into effect on 10 December, restricts under-16s from accessing major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Under the law, technology companies face fines of up to Australian $49.5 million if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to prevent access by minors.

According to the BBC, the policy was introduced to address growing concerns over online bullying, exposure to harmful content and the risk of online predation involving young users.

For some teenagers, the change has been significant.

Amy, a 14-year-old from Sydney, told the BBC that the ban initially highlighted how habitual her phone use had become. In the first days after the restrictions took effect, she found herself instinctively opening Snapchat despite being unable to access it.

Within a week, however, Amy said her dependence on the app began to fade.

She reported feeling relieved by the absence of pressure to maintain Snapchat "streaks", a feature that encourages daily exchanges between users and is widely considered addictive.

Over time, she replaced online interactions with offline activities, including exercise, and reduced her overall phone use.

A month on, Amy told the BBC that her social media consumption had roughly halved.

She said that previously, opening one app often led her to spend extended periods scrolling through multiple platforms, losing track of time. Without constant notifications, particularly from Snapchat, she now reaches for her phone less frequently and with clearer purpose.

However, the experience has not been uniform. Thirteen-year-old Aahil said the ban had made little difference to his daily routine.

According to the BBC report, he continues to spend around two and a half hours a day online, largely through platforms not covered by the ban, including YouTube, Roblox and Discord. He also retains access to Snapchat using a false date of birth.

While Aahil says his habits remain unchanged, his mother has observed a shift in his behaviour, noting increased moodiness and more time spent gaming.

She also said that before the ban, he appeared more socially engaged at home. Whether this change is linked to reduced social media access or to adolescence more broadly remains unclear.

Consumer psychologist Christina Anthony told the BBC that such reactions may reflect short-term emotional adjustment. She explained that many teenagers use social media not only for entertainment, but also to manage stress, boredom and social anxiety.

When access is suddenly restricted, some may experience irritability or restlessness as a familiar coping mechanism is removed.

Over time, Anthony said, young people may develop alternative strategies for emotional regulation, including increased communication with family members or trusted adults.

In other households, the impact has been minimal. Fifteen-year-old Lulu told the BBC that she continues to use TikTok and Instagram by creating new accounts with altered age details.

While she said the ban has encouraged her to read slightly more, it has not led to increased outdoor activity or more in-person socialising.

Like many teenagers affected by the restrictions, Lulu has shifted towards messaging services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, which are not covered by the ban. Amy and Aahil reported similar changes, using these platforms to stay in touch with friends who lost access to social media.

Anthony noted that this behaviour underscores the fundamentally social nature of these platforms.

According to her, the enjoyment of social media lies less in individual scrolling and more in shared participation—seeing the same content, receiving feedback and engaging in collective conversations. When peers disappear from a platform, its appeal often diminishes.

The BBC report also noted a surge in downloads of alternative photo- and video-sharing apps in the days leading up to the ban.

Platforms such as Lemon8, Yope and Coverstar saw a sharp increase in interest as teenagers sought substitutes for restricted services.

This pattern reflects what psychologists describe as compensatory behaviour.

When access to a rewarding activity is limited, individuals often seek alternative sources that offer similar benefits, such as social connection, identity expression or escapism.

Although download numbers have since declined, app analytics firm Apptopia told the BBC that daily downloads remain higher than pre-ban levels.

For Amy, one unexpected benefit emerged following the fatal Bondi Beach shootings in mid-December.

She said she was relieved to have avoided excessive exposure to distressing content that would likely have circulated widely on platforms such as TikTok.

While she still views TikTok and Instagram as entertaining, Amy described the loss of Snapchat as transformative, noting that its constant notifications previously acted as a gateway to prolonged screen time.

Her mother said it remains too early to determine whether the ban will prove beneficial in the long term, describing the current period as one of adjustment.

As Australia continues to monitor the policy's effects, early experiences suggest that while the ban has altered habits for some teenagers, enforcement challenges and workarounds remain widespread.

Whether the changes observed will translate into lasting behavioural shifts remains an open question.