Australia is poised to enact a world-first social media ban for users under the age of 16, with the controversial policy set to commence on 10 December. As nations like Malaysia, Denmark, and Norway prepare to follow suit, and the European Union passes a resolution for similar restrictions, the eyes of the world are on this unprecedented digital experiment.
A Generation's Perspective on the 'Delay'
With the deadline looming, Guardian Australia spoke to five adolescents aged 13 to 15, all members of the youth advisory board for the Australian Theatre for Young People. Their responses ranged from frustration and disappointment to indifference, revealing a complex tapestry of opinion on a policy that will directly shape their online lives. The theatre group will next month stage 'The Censor', a production exploring themes of teen social media use and adult censorship.
Frustration and Fears of Lost Connection
Sarai Ades, 14, who has used platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok since 2023, finds the ban deeply frustrating. She argues it unfairly punishes young people instead of tackling root causes like algorithmic amplification of bigotry and misinformation. "It feels deeply unfair the government is punishing an entire age group," she states, highlighting how social media serves as a vital tool for identity formation, cultural connection, and creative expression for her multicultural generation.
Sarai warns the ban could drive teens to "shadier corners of the internet" and criticises the lack of modern media literacy education in schools. "We might learn about cyberbullying but not echo chambers," she notes, emphasising that education, not restriction, is the key to safety.
Indifference and Alternative Platforms
Other teens express a more measured response. Grace Guo, 14, says she is "quite indifferent to the ban," as she primarily uses messaging apps like WhatsApp. She feels "it's not a big deal" to wait two years to use Instagram again, though she speculates it might be overwhelming to encounter the online world for the first time at 16.
Pia Monte, 13, who mainly uses WhatsApp and Pinterest, won't be directly affected but opposes the blanket policy. "I've had a really positive experience... so I don't see why it should be banned for everyone," she says, concerned for peers whose main support networks are online.
Critique of Adult Perceptions and Calls for Education
Ewan Buchanan-Constable, 15, believes adults mischaracterise social media as something that "hijacks our whole life." He discovered many creative interests through YouTube and uses Discord for community engagement. He advocates for earlier and better online safety education rather than a blunt ban.
Emma Williamson, 15, who turns 16 in February, captures a common ambivalence. "I think everyone will miss the socialising part. But it's also a relief," she admits, weary of endless scrolling and "AI slop." Like her peers, she believes the government "could spend their money better on educating rather than restricting." She and her friends already use apps like Fitlock to manage screen time, lessons often learned from social media itself.
As 10 December approaches, these teen voices underscore a central debate: whether protecting young people is best achieved through prohibition or through empowerment via robust digital literacy and platform regulation.