Navigating Australia's Social Media Ban: A Guide for Families

As you may have heard, from 10 December 2024, Australia will implement new legislation restricting social media access for children under 16 years of age. This includes platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and a host of others. While the change aims to protect young people's wellbeing, I know many families are wondering how to navigate what might feel like a pretty significant shift.

For Parents: Supporting Your Teen Through This Transition

Before panicking and jumping into problem-solving mode, take time to listen to your teen's real concerns. They may be worried about FOMO (fear of missing out), losing contact with friends, or feeling left out of conversations. Validate or normalise these feelings rather than minimising or dismissing them. Something like, "I can see why this feels really hard for you" can be helpful.

Rather than telling them what to do, involve your teen in working out how they can stay connected. This collaborative approach respects their autonomy and is more likely to result in strategies they'll actually use. And be realistic about the transition – it might be rough to begin with. There may be some complaining, testing of boundaries, or genuine distress. That's okay. As we know, change takes time and many of use struggle with it so supporting your child through this process is more important than having everything run smoothly from day one.

For Young People: New Ways to Connect and Spend Time

Losing access to familiar platforms doesn't mean losing connection with your friends. With summer holidays approaching, the timing is actually pretty good. Group chats on messaging apps (WhatsApp, Signal, etc) are great for organising catch-ups. If the weather is decent, consider going to the beach with mates – and we have a number pretty close by in Williamstown and Altona. Visit friends with swimming pools (if you’re lucky enough to know any), organising gaming sessions at someone's place, music festivals, or gigs around Melbourne all help keep you connected without needing social media.

We also know that being outside is good for your mental health. Sunshine boosts our levels of vitamin D, which helps with mood, energy, and sleep. Summer is also a great time to exercise (which releases endorphins, the feel good chemicals in our bodies) so think about swimming, skating, or any outdoor or indoor sport. Being outside reduces stress and anxiety in ways that scrolling never could. Summer in Melbourne also means festivals, markets, outdoor cinemas, and events – actually experiencing things rather than watching other people's holidays or reels.

Summer is also a good time to think about getting a casual job to earn money, meet people, and build your social skills. You can also choose to sleep in, actually rest, and fix your sleep schedule without worrying about maintaining your streaks or doom scrolling. You could also consider doing something creative like music, art, photography, or writing. Learn something you've been putting off. Binge actual TV shows or movies on streaming. Try to think of this as an opportunity rather than a punishment!

Supporting Young People Who Rely Heavily on Social Media

For some young people, social media serves a particularly important role. Perhaps they're more introverted, have found supportive communities online around identity or experiences, or use it as their primary source of validation. This transition may feel especially challenging for them.

If this sounds like you or your child, help them identify what specific needs social media was meeting – connection, validation, entertainment, escape – and help them to explore alternative ways to meet those needs. Encourage them to maintain friendships through messaging, catching up IRL (in real life) or going old school and using their mobile to actually ring someone (crazy thought I know). You could also help them connect groups that align with their interests, such as LGBTQIA+ youth groups (Minus18), music or theatre groups or special interest communities (think comic-con, anime, dungeons and dragons, etc). Consider whether they might benefit from reconnecting with a therapist to build confidence in face-to-face social situations and to develop self-esteem from internal sources rather than external validation.

Watch for warning signs though. If you notice significant withdrawal, persistent low mood, increased anxiety, or signs of isolation following the ban, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Addressing Social Media Dependency

As we know, social media can be genuinely addictive, for young people and for us. Signs of dependency include feeling anxious when unable to access it, constantly thinking about it, using it as the primary way to cope with difficult feelings, sleep disruption from late-night scrolling, or neglecting other activities and relationships.

For young people managing withdrawal, recognise that initial discomfort doesn't mean something is wrong – it's just your brain adjusting. Helping your child to find healthy ways to manage their uncomfortable feelings (what we call “sitting with their discomfort”), along with exercise, are two of the best options. The more they learn to cope without social media, the more you will (hopefully) notice an improvement in their sleep, more energy, improved mood, and deeper friendships. Be patient though as we know that breaking habits takes time.

For parents, model healthy technology use yourself – and yes, this means putting your own phone down too. Create phone-free times in your home like mealtimes or before bed. Fill the space with connection, even just being available to chat.

Consider this…

This shift in legislation is a world first and will be observed by many countries yet to take the bold step Australia has chosen. It creates a space for young people to develop deeper, real connections, discover new interests, and actually experience life rather than watching it through a screen. The timing – right before summer holidays – might actually be a blessing. There's time to adjust, experiment, and find what works.

If you're finding this transition particularly challenging, or if you'd like support in helping your child or teen adjust, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help families navigate these changes with compassion, understanding, and practical strategies.