One Month After Australia's Social Media Ban: Freedom or Folly?

Sat Jan 17 2026 14:30:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A detailed examination of the impact of Australia's ban on social media usage among teenagers one month post-implementation, exploring varied experiences and perspectives.

Australia's recent ban on social media for children under 16, initiated on December 10, has led to mixed reactions among teens. While some, like 14-year-old Amy, report feeling liberated and more connected to real-life activities, others, like 13-year-old Aahil, claim it hasn't changed their habits at all. The ban's goal was to reduce online bullying and protect youth, yet many teens have found workarounds and continue similar social interactions on non-banned platforms. Time will tell if these changes are beneficial or merely a temporary adjustment.

For the first time in years, Amy feels free.

One month since Australia's teen social media ban kicked in, she says she is disconnected from my phone and her daily routine has changed.

The 14-year-old first felt the pangs of online addiction in the days after the ban started.

I knew that I was still unable to access Snapchat - however, from instinct, I still reached to open the app in the morning, she wrote on day two of the ban in a diary she kept for the first week afterwards.

By day four of the ban – when ten platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok went dark for thousands of Australian children aged 16 and under – she had started to question the magnetic pull of Snapchat.

While it's sad that I can't snap my friends, I can still text them on other platforms and I honestly feel kind of free knowing that I don't have to worry about doing my streaks anymore, Amy wrote.

Streaks - a Snapchat feature considered by some as highly addictive – require two people to send a snap – a photo or video – to each other every day in order to maintain their streak which can last for days, months, even years.

Fast forward a month, and her habits are markedly different.

Previously, it was part of my routine to open Snapchat, the Sydney teen tells the BBC.

But not all experiences are the same. Aahil, 13, hasn't read more books, played more sports, or started learning an instrument since the ban. He continues to spend about two and a half hours on various social media platforms each day – notably using YouTube and gaming platforms like Roblox and Discord, which are not banned.

Parental feedback also varies. Aahil's mother, Mau, noted changes in his mood, suggesting the ban, while intended to limit social media usage, did not significantly change his engagement.

On the flip side, the ban led to increased activity in alternative platforms. Reports indicate a surge in downloads of apps like Lemon8 and WhatsApp as users seek to maintain connections.

Many young Australians appear to be taking this opportunity to explore hobbies they previously neglected, with some finding time for reading and even new sports. The long-term implications of the ban will unfold as ongoing assessments from the eSafety Commissioner will provide clearer insights into its effectiveness.