Australia’s Social Media Ban: A ‘Grand Social Experiment’ Begins
Australia is undertaking a sweeping social experiment, having banned social media access for children under the age of 16 as of December 10, 2025. The move, which has drawn international attention, aims to protect young people from the potential harms of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, and Twitch. The Australian government illuminated the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the slogan “Let Them Be Kids” to mark the start of the ban.
The law requires social media companies to make “reasonable” efforts to prevent users under 16 from accessing their apps, with hefty financial penalties for non-compliance. The ban defines social media as platforms primarily designed to encourage user interaction and content posting. Notably, sites like Pinterest, Discord, and Roblox are currently excluded from the ban, as they don’t fit this definition.
The government’s rationale centers on improving the health and well-being of young Australians. ESafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has highlighted concerns about online grooming, cyberbullying, exposure to graphic violence, and the potential for algorithmic manipulation and compulsive usage.
Australia is the first democracy to implement such a broad restriction, but other countries, including the United States, are considering similar age-gating measures for social media. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated in September 2025 that the world would be watching Australia’s approach.
A Complex Issue with Uncertain Outcomes
Experts caution that the impact of the ban is not straightforward. While there is growing concern about the role of social media in young people’s lives, research on its effects on mental health is mixed. Some studies link increased social media use to higher levels of anxiety or depression, while others find no significant correlation. In some cases, mental health challenges may precede increased online engagement.
Researchers at the University of Virginia emphasize that what teens do online may be more important than the amount of time they spend on social media. Negative social comparison, sleep disruption, and the replacement of in-person connections are potential harms. However, social media can also provide valuable connections, and support.
Drawing Parallels to Other Bans
The Australian ban can be viewed in the context of other prohibitions aimed at protecting young people, such as those on drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. While compliance with any ban is rarely perfect, the principle remains that restrictions can reduce the targeted activity. For example, fireworks-related injuries decreased in states with stricter fireworks laws, and raising the minimum legal age for alcohol and tobacco purchases has demonstrably reduced consumption among young people.
Data from the CDC shows that even with existing age restrictions, a significant percentage of high school students still engage in underage behaviors: 4 percent smoke cigarettes, 17 percent use marijuana, 17 percent vape, and 22 percent drink alcohol. However, these behaviors are more prevalent among adults, and there is a noticeable increase in uptake when young people reach the legal age.
Researchers have found that raising the drinking age to 21 reduced alcohol consumption and traffic crashes among 18- to 20-year-olds. Similar policies raising the minimum age for tobacco purchases have also had positive effects.
Adolescence and Neuroplasticity
Experts note that adolescence is a critical period of brain development, making young people particularly susceptible to forming lifelong habits. What we have is why companies target young viewers with advertising, and why social media companies view the Australian ban as a long-term economic threat. Introducing addictive products later in life, after the brain is fully developed (around age 25), reduces the risk of addiction.
Challenges and Sustainability
While banning access to social media may be easier than regulating physical substances like alcohol or tobacco, challenges remain. Some teens may attempt to circumvent the ban using VPN software or other methods. However, a ban could address a collective-action problem, similar to banning steroids in sports, where individuals might feel compelled to participate even if they recognize the risks.
The sustainability of the ban also depends on political and corporate factors. While the ban penalizes corporations rather than individual users, it faces opposition from powerful social media companies. The long-term success of the ban will depend on whether Australia can maintain its resolve and adapt to evolving technologies.
A study is currently underway, launched in October 2025 by MCRI and Deakin University, to track the effects of the ban on teen phone use and wellbeing. A 2025 study commissioned by the Australian government found that 96% of children aged 10-15 were already using social media, and seven out of 10 had been exposed to harmful content.
