Australia’s recent ban on social media for those under 16, implemented in December 2025, is already facing real-world challenges as teenagers adapt and find ways around the restrictions. While the Australian government touts the removal of 4.7 million accounts as a technical success, experts caution that it’s too early to assess the impact on youth mental health. The move has sparked debate internationally, with nations like the United Kingdom considering similar measures, but grappling with questions of effectiveness, enforcement, and adolescent behavior.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reported to the British newspaper The Guardian that the ban led to the deletion of 4.7 million Australian accounts from platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitch. This figure highlights the initial technical compliance achieved, a key aspect in Albanese’s assessment of the policy’s success. The Australian government mandated that ten digital platforms block access and remove accounts belonging to users under the age of 16. Achieving effective collaboration with these tech giants was considered a significant hurdle, but this metric doesn’t yet reflect any tangible change in the psychological well-being of young people.
A longitudinal evaluation is now underway, led by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, to measure the real-world effects of the restriction. The study will follow over 4,000 children and families for at least two years, utilizing surveys, voluntary smartphone usage tracking, and data collection on digital habits. The research will likewise incorporate external data – school results, health data, and prescription statistics – to analyze multiple dimensions of impact. Inman Grant explained to The Guardian that the evaluation will explore a range of outcomes, “including child wellbeing and mental health, exposure to online risks and harms, and patterns of social media use and digital habits.” Initial findings are expected later this year, before which any claims of success or failure remain speculative.
At Headspace, Australia’s leading youth mental health organization, around one in ten adolescents seeking support mention the social media ban as a contributing factor, according to national clinical advisor Caroline Thain. This suggests the policy is already impacting some young people, even if the broader effects are yet to be determined.
Circumventing the Restrictions
Teenagers are demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt, finding alternative platforms and creating new accounts to bypass the restrictions. Sarai Ades, a 14-year-aged, explained, “I have new accounts on TikTok and Snapchat. Instagram hasn’t detected that my old account belongs to someone under 16 yet. It was much easier than expected.” This highlights a key challenge to the ban’s effectiveness: the ingenuity of young people in navigating digital spaces.
One example illustrates this collective response: a group of teenagers collectively switched from Snapchat (included in the ban) to WhatsApp, which remains unrestricted. This shift demonstrates a willingness to migrate to platforms that haven’t been targeted by the new regulations.
A Catalyst for Reflection?
Though, the ban isn’t universally met with circumvention. Some young people report that the restrictions have prompted them to reflect on their social media usage. Grace Guo, also 14, stated, “The ban made me realize that sometimes we rely too much on social media and there are other ways to communicate and entertain ourselves.” This suggests the policy may be fostering a degree of self-awareness among some adolescents.
Thain cautions that the impact of the ban varies depending on the adolescent’s social environment – whether their close friends and older siblings remain active on the platforms. “We know some young people have found ways around the ban. This can look very different in each family or peer group, but we don’t yet have a complete assessment of that phenomenon because all the information isn’t available,” she said.
Long-Term Evaluation and International Implications
Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation and a proponent of the restrictions, argues that the success of the Australian model should be measured over the medium term. Speaking on The New York Times’ Hard Fork podcast, he stated, “If nothing changes in five years with respect to the improvement of Australian teenagers’ mental health, then my campaign to restrict access would be refuted.” Haidt added that at least 70% compliance among young people is needed to expect noticeable effects.
Currently, the eSafety Office is evaluating the platforms’ commitment to enforcing the ban and the extent to which young people are circumventing it. No public information is yet available regarding potential penalties for tech companies that fail to comply with the terms of the restrictions.
Thain recommends that governments considering similar policies avoid underestimating adolescents. “Consider them experts in their own lives and include them in every phase of the process if you are going to implement these kinds of policies,” she advised. She concluded, “No one should think for a moment that, just because they are parents, they know more, because they haven’t grown up with these tools in their everyday environment.”
The long-term effects of Australia’s social media ban remain to be seen. The ongoing evaluation will be crucial in determining whether the policy achieves its intended goal of improving youth mental health, or if teenagers will continue to adapt and find ways to connect online. The results will undoubtedly inform future policy decisions regarding social media regulation, not only in Australia but also in countries like the United Kingdom currently weighing similar measures.
Disclaimer: This article provides information for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical or mental health advice. If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out to a qualified professional.
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