For more resources on the social media ban check out the links below:
Raising Children Network
eSafety Commissioner
Beyond Blue
Australia’s social media minimum age legislation has brought significant change for children and young people. It was introduced to protect them from online harm, but children and young people were not meaningfully involved in designing the legislation, even though they are the people most directly affected by it.
Unlike previous generations, many of today’s children and young people have grown up in an environment where digital communication forms an important part of everyday life. Digital life is not experienced as separate from “real” life but as an extension of it.
Children and young people have a right to be heard in decisions that affect their lives. Listening to them also leads to better policies and legislative change. Young people can tell us what is working, identify unintended consequences and offer practical ideas that adults may not have considered.
This is why we asked South Australian young people about their experiences of the social media ban, with a particular focus on engaging those aged 13-15 who are most likely to be directly impacted.
We first heard from 133 young people around the time the ban came into effect, when there was considerable uncertainty about what it would mean. We then spoke directly with students in Whyalla and conducted a second survey, which received 437 responses from young people aged 11-17 across South Australia.
I sincerely thank every young person who shared their experiences, concerns and ideas with us. I also thank the schools, families and other adults who supported them to take part.
Other research has examined the effectiveness of the legislation and levels of compliance by platforms. This report adds something different: it explores how young people themselves have experienced the changes, including impacts on their wellbeing, relationships, sense of connection and daily lives.
What we heard was not a simple story of the ban being either good or bad. Most young people reported little or no change to their daily lives, and most did not report a negative impact on their wellbeing. However, experiences varied considerably depending on whether young people had used social media before the ban and whether they retained or lost access to their accounts.
Young people who lost access were more likely to report negative effects on their wellbeing and to feel less connected than those who retained access. Social media was particularly important for connection among neurodivergent young people and young people with disability. These findings matter because online and offline life are not separate for young people. Digital platforms can expose them to harm, but the online world can also provide connection, information, support and a sense of community.
Young people understand that social media can be harmful. They want safer online environments and better protection from bullying, predatory behaviour, harmful content and pressures on their mental health. But they also want adults to understand how they use social media and to work with them on solutions.
As we go forward, we need to refine our approach to social media and other technological advances, such as AI use, to ensure that the positive elements of these tools can be harnessed whilst minimising the harm.
The ban draws an important line in the sand about the harms children and young people can experience online, but it cannot be the only response. Creating safer online environments requires governments, regulators, platforms, parents and young people to work together. Change must be shaped with young people, not simply done to them.
The young people who contributed to this work offered thoughtful and practical ideas about online safety, education, platform design, age restrictions and the support they need. They also made it clear that they want safe spaces online to connect as well as more accessible places to meet in person where young people are welcomed and can belong. Their valuable contributions will not end with this report.
As Commissioner, I will continue to bring their experiences and ideas to decision-makers and advocate for children and young people to be included as the legislation is evaluated and developed, and in future support mechanisms aiming to reduce the time spent by children and young people online.
Children and young people are citizens now. Their voices should be at the forefront of decisions shaping their lives.
Dr Kylie Heneker
Commissioner for Children and Young People
Key Findings