"Social Media Ban Australia" Age Restrictions for Under-16s in Australia: A Psychologist’s Guide for Parents, Schools and Young People

From 10 December 2025, Australia will become the first country globally to require major social media platforms to block accounts belonging to users under 16 years of age. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Kick will be legally required to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts.

Let’s be clear from the outset:

• Young people and parents will not be punished.

• The legal responsibility — and potential penalties of up to $49.5 million — rest entirely with the platforms.

For families, this new law lands in very different ways. Some parents feel relieved. Others feel confused, anxious or even fearful. Many teenagers are already grieving what they see as the loss of a major social lifeline.

At iflow Psychology in Gladesville, we are already hearing comments such as:

• “Finally — some protection.”

• “This feels like everything is being taken away.”

• “I’m worried about how my child will cope.”

• “What happens now?”

This guide offers a calm, evidence-based explanation of what’s changing, why it’s happening, and — importantly — how parents and young people can navigate this transition together.

For many teens, losing access to social media will feel like losing part of their daily routine — scrolling, messaging and staying connected.

1. What is Changing from December 2025?

From 10 December 2025, platforms must:

• Use age-assurance technologies (e.g., ID checks, video selfies, facial age estimation).

• Remove or lock accounts belonging to under-16s.

• Provide privacy-protective verification options.

• Demonstrate they took reasonable steps or face large penalties.

• Apply restrictions to platforms whose primary purpose is social sharing and content posting.

Not included:

• WhatsApp and other messaging-only apps

• YouTube Kids

• Educational tools like Google Classroom

Is this a Social Media Ban being Introduced in Australia?

Importantly, this is not considered a social media ban but rather a delay in children accessing social media until they reach a responsible age and mature enough to start navigating potential risks. Parents will not face penalties if their child continues to access social media. However, many young people will experience it as a personal restriction, and emotional reactions should be expected.

2. Why Did Australia Introduce This Measure?

The decision is based on strong and consistent evidence showing that current online environments expose young people to a level of harm that cannot be mitigated by parental supervision alone.

Government-commissioned research found:

• 96% of children aged 10–15 use social media.

• 70% reported seeing harmful content, including:– violent fight videos– misogynistic material– body-image and dieting content– self-harm and suicide content

• 1 in 7 experienced grooming-like behaviour.

• Over 50% reported cyberbullying.

These are not rare, unlucky events. They reflect systemic risks embedded in platforms not designed for children or adolescents.

A short composite example

Research translates into real-world impacts. For instance:

• A 13-year-old girl spends evenings on TikTok. Gradually, her feed becomes dominated by extreme dieting videos. She begins skipping meals and withdrawing socially — her family notices she is “just not herself.” Her health is placed at risk and begins to deteriorate.

• A 14-year-old boy is added to Snapchat groups circulating violence and humiliation. He stays awake until 2 a.m. trying to keep up so he isn’t next. His school performance drops, and he grows increasingly anxious.

These experiences are increasingly common, and psychologists are observing similar patterns across many households.

Why parenting alone can’t solve it

Even the most attentive parent cannot compete with:

• algorithm-driven escalation

• 24/7 availability

• peer pressures

• addictive behavioural design

• sophisticated online predators

This is why Australia is taking a national, harm-reduction approach — not to punish children, but to delay exposure during a vulnerable developmental period.

3. The Big Question: Will Removing Social Media Improve Mental Health?

Surprisingly, research shows the answer is: not automatically.

A major 2025 meta-analysis (Scientific Reports) examining over 4,600 participants found no consistent improvements in:

• anxiety

• mood

• life satisfaction

• distress

Many heavy users actually experienced worsening symptoms when cut off abruptly:

• boredom

• loneliness

• irritability and anger

• cravings

• frustration

• stronger FOMO

• secretive attempts to regain access

Why? Because social media serves functions — connection, distraction, validation, humour, belonging, identity exploration.

Removing access without replacing these functions does not remove distress — it often reveals it. This is because social media can be used as a coping mechanism for children that might be masking other psychosocial issues.

Clinically, this means:

The “problem” is not always the app. The need it was filling remains.

This policy may reduce risk exposure, but mental health benefits will only occur if families and schools actively build healthier alternatives.

4. The Benefits: What These Restrictions Can Achieve

Despite the complexities, age restrictions offer several meaningful protections, especially at a population level.

1. Less exposure to harmful content: Fewer opportunities to view violence, misogyny, dieting content or self-harm material.

2. Fewer grooming opportunities: Limiting access reduces predators’ direct reach.

3. Lower cyberbullying rates: Many bullying incidents originate or escalate on major social platforms.

4. Better sleep: The loss of late-night scrolling and notifications is likely to improve sleep — one of the strongest protective factors for teen wellbeing.

5. Less body comparison: Reducing exposure to highly curated, appearance-focused content supports healthier self-esteem.

6. A developmental pause: Delaying intense online immersion until cognitive and emotional maturity is higher.

7. A circuit-breaker for families: A chance to reset household boundaries, routines and expectations.

5. The Risks and Unintended Consequences

Acknowledging these helps families prepare — without panic.

a. Circumvention

Expect attempts using:

• VPNs

• fake-age accounts

• joint parent–child accounts

• less regulated platforms

• gaming consoles with chat

This is usually about autonomy, not defiance.

b. Strong emotional reactions

For many adolescents, social media is:

• a social home

• an identity space

• a distraction

• a coping tool

Grief, anger, irritability and anxiety are normal responses.

c. Privacy concerns

Families may feel uneasy about facial scans or age-verification technologies.

d. Risk displacement

Young people may move toward less safe, more anonymous online spaces.

e. Vulnerable groups may feel isolated

Neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, CALD or socially anxious young people may lose the only space where they feel understood.

Removing social media from these groups requires careful replacement, not just restriction.

6. How Families Can Prepare — A Clinician’s Framework

Here is a practical, supportive roadmap.

Step 1: Start the conversation early

Explain:

• what the law does

• what it doesn’t do

• that it’s a national change, not a personal punishment

Invite questions. Expect emotion. Empathise. Invite them to consider other activities that give them enjoyment, connection or identity.

How to Talk to Your Teen About the Change

When discussing these changes, start with acknowledgement—losing access to something central to their social world can genuinely feel like a loss. Explain the policy factually and emphasise that this is a government-wide safety measure, not a consequence of anything they did wrong. Encourage them to express what they will miss, what they enjoy online, and what their biggest concerns are. Keep your tone calm and curious; defensiveness or lecturing tends to increase secrecy and withdrawal. Ongoing conversations—not one big talk—help teens adapt more gradually and maintain trust.

Step 2: Validate their feelings

Use empathy: “It makes sense you feel upset — this has been a big part of your life.” Validation helps connect with your children and lowers conflict more effectively than rules alone.

Step 3: Understand what social media gives them

Ask:

• “What do you enjoy most about being online?”

• “What will you miss?”

• “What makes you feel worse, not better?”

You’re identifying need — not policing behaviour.

Step 4: Build a plan to replace what they’re losing

Match their needs with alternatives:

• Connection: in-person catch-ups, clubs, groups

• Identity: hobbies, creativity, arts, music

• Downtime: reading, movement, gaming within boundaries

• Belonging: youth groups, sports, community programs

Removing without replacing increases distress and circumvention. Many adolescents will benefit from activities that create a “flow state”—a psychological state where attention becomes deeply focused, time passes quickly, and a sense of satisfaction emerges through mastery and engagement. Research shows that flow activities can increase emotional wellbeing, improve attention regulation, and reduce reliance on external approval or digital distraction. Flow-compatible activities include music, drawing, sport, building, cooking, writing, coding, gardening, instrument practice or learning a new skill. These do not simply fill time—they build confidence, competence and intrinsic enjoyment.

Incorporating flow-based activities is not just distraction—it supports emotional regulation, mastery and intrinsic motivation.

Step 5: Develop a family technology agreement

Create shared expectations around:

• device-free zones

• bedtime boundaries

• weekend vs weekday rules

• permitted apps

• parental responsibilities (listening, respect, privacy)

Step 6: Review messaging and gaming platforms

Not with surveillance — but with guided supervision and open discussion.

Step 7: Strengthen offline routines

Even small rituals help:

• dinners together

• weekly outings

• shared hobbies

• one-to-one check-ins

Warm parental presence is the strongest protective factor during the transition.

Step 8: Expect withdrawal-like symptoms

Many adolescents will experience a withdrawal-like response. Irritability, restlessness, cravings, secrecy, and disrupted sleep often peak in the first one to three weeks.

Hold boundaries without shaming.

Step 9: Keep communication open

Ask regularly:

• “What’s been hardest this week?”

• “What’s helped?”

• “Anything you’re tempted to try for access? We can talk about it safely.”

Curiosity builds trust; control builds secrecy.

Step 10: Seek professional support when needed

Get help if your child:

• shows major mood or sleep changes

• becomes socially withdrawn

• shifts into riskier online spaces

• experiences bullying or exploitation

• belongs to a vulnerable group and is distressed

• triggers ongoing conflict at home

• shows signs of depression or anxiety

Early support is easier than crisis intervention.

7. When to Seek Professional Support

Reach out to a psychologist if:

• your child’s mood, sleep or behaviour has changed

• their identity is heavily tied to online spaces

• cyberbullying or harmful content has impacted them

• conflict at home has increased

• they belong to a vulnerable group and are struggling

• you feel overwhelmed or unsure how to support them

8. The Role of Schools, Communities and Health Professionals

A whole-community response will support young people best.

Schools can:

• normalise mixed feelings

• increase offline social opportunities

• teach digital literacy and critical thinking

• monitor shifts in social dynamics

Community organisations can:

• offer safe youth spaces

• run inclusive programs for diverse groups

• provide structured after-school activities

Health professionals can:

• help families understand emotional reactions

• support coping strategies

• monitor emerging mental health concerns

• mediate parent–teen conflict

At iflow Psychology in Gladesville, this is the type of collaborative support we provide every day.

9. About iflow Psychology – Gladesville, Sydney

iflow Psychology is a trusted provider of evidence-based therapy for adolescents, adults and families. We offer:

• adolescent and child therapy

• family counselling

• digital wellbeing and social media support

• assessment and treatment for anxiety, depression and stress

• telehealth across NSW and Australia

• Medicare rebates (where eligible)

• culturally sensitive, inclusive care

We help families:

• understand the emotional impact of digital change

• develop healthy coping strategies

• improve communication

• build sustainable technology plans

You do not have to navigate this transition alone. Assistance is available if needed, including professional help with coping strategies, family communication, or emotional changes during this transition. Professional support is available for parents and their children.

FAQs: Australia’s Social Media Age Restrictions (Under-16 Rule)

What exactly changes on 10 December 2025?

Major social media platforms will be legally required to block users under 16 from opening or maintaining accounts. They must use age-assurance technologies, remove under-age accounts, and demonstrate they took “reasonable steps” to comply.

Will parents or young people be punished if a child still accesses social media?

No. The law places responsibility solely on the platforms, not families. Parents and children will not face penalties.

Which platforms are included in the age restrictions?

Platforms focused on social sharing and posting — such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit, YouTube (main), Twitch and Kick — fall under the requirement.

Which platforms are not included?

Messaging-only services like WhatsApp, YouTube Kids, and educational tools such as Google Classroom are not part of the restrictions.

Why is Australia introducing this rule for under-16s?

The decision is based on national research showing widespread exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, grooming attempts, addictive design features and psychological risks for children and adolescents. The aim is harm-reduction during a vulnerable developmental period.

Will removing social media automatically improve a teen’s mental health?

Not necessarily. Research shows mixed outcomes. Mental health improves when the underlying needs (connection, identity, belonging, downtime, coping) are addressed through alternative supports — not simply by removing the platforms.

What emotional reactions should families expect?

Many young people feel grief, frustration, boredom, FOMO, or irritability. These reactions are common, especially in the first weeks, as social media often provides connection and distraction.

Can teens circumvent the restrictions?

Some may attempt to use VPNs, fake-age accounts, borrowed devices or less regulated platforms. These attempts are usually driven by autonomy and social belonging, not defiance.

How can families support teenagers through this transition?

Open conversations, validation, predictable routines, replacement activities, flow-based hobbies, and negotiated technology agreements can help. The aim is to understand the underlying needs social media was meeting and offer healthier alternatives.

Which young people may need extra support?

Neurodivergent teens, LGBTQIA+ young people, culturally diverse adolescents, socially anxious teens, and those experiencing bullying or isolation may require additional emotional and social support during this transition.

Should parents talk to their teen’s school about the new rules?

Yes. Schools can support digital literacy, provide social opportunities, observe changes in peer dynamics and help normalise mixed feelings about the policy.

When should professional support be considered?

If a teen’s mood, sleep, behaviour or social functioning noticeably changes, or if conflict at home escalates, professional psychological support may be helpful.

Need Support Navigating These Changes?

If you’re noticing changes in your child’s wellbeing, or would like guidance in navigating this transition, evidence-based support is available. Our clinicians work with adolescents and families to build healthier coping strategies, improve communication, and support emotional adjustment.

Book an appointment or speak with our team on 02 6061 1144 to learn how we can help.

Official Government Guidance & Updates

For ongoing updates, implementation timelines, FAQs and formal regulatory information about age restrictions, visit:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub

References

Australian Human Rights Commission. (n.d.). Proposed social media ban for under-16s in Australia. https://humanrights.gov.au/about-us/news/proposed-social-media-ban-under-16s-australia

Burnell, K., Meter, D. J., Andrade, F. C., Slocum, A. N., & George, M. J. (2025). The effects of social media restriction: Meta-analytic evidence from randomized controlled trials. SSM – Mental Health, 7, 100459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2025.100459

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row.

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. (n.d.). AATT Part A: Digital — Age Assurance Technology Trial – Part A. Australian Government. https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/aatt_part_a_digital.pdf

eSafety Commissioner. (n.d.). Social media age restrictions. https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions

Lemahieu, L., Vander Zwalmen, Y., Mennes, M., et al. (2025). The effects of social media abstinence on affective well-being and life satisfaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 15, 7581. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90984-3

Nakamura, J., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2009). The concept of flow. In C. R. Snyder & S. Lopez (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (pp. 89–105). Oxford University Press.