D-day for Australia’s social media ban amid ‘tension, uncertainty and worry’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told Australian teens to read a book or learn an instrument as they adjust to life without social media, as the world-first ban begins on Wednesday amid “tension, uncertainty and worry” among parents. Fifteen months after the Federal Government announced its landmark legislation to restrict social media access for under-16s, the policy will finally be put to the test following intense debate. Teens started to lose access to their social media accounts on Tuesday, hours before the laws officially came into effect, as cyber safety educators warned many families remained confused and apprehensive. In a video message to be played in Australian classrooms this week the Prime Minister explained why the government introduced the ban, which will initially cover 10 major platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and Instagram. Mr Albanese said today’s teens would know better than anyone “what it’s like growing up with algorithms, endless feeds and the pressure that can come with that”. “That’s why we’ve taken this step to support you,” he said. He encouraged them to make the most of the school holidays, rather than spending it “scrolling on your phone”. “Start a new sport, learn a new instrument, or read that book that has been sitting there on your shelf for some time,” he said. “And importantly, spend quality time with your friends and your family. Face to face.” Social media giants now face fines of up to $49.5 million if they don’t take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from holding an account. But teens have told The West Australian of their plans to “trick” facial recognition technology, use virtual private networks (VPNs) to appear as if they are in another country and use identification from older siblings or parents to get around the ban. Many have also migrated to little-known platforms not included in the ban, but which are similar to TikTok and Instagram. Coverstar, Yope and Lemon8 remain on the approved list but are in the sights of the eSafety Commission, which has warned the list will be regularly updated. Perth cyber safety expert Paul Litherland, who was named WA’s Australian of the Year in 2022 for his work with young people, said support for the ban was mixed. “At the coalface, regardless of who is for it and who is against it, there’s still that tension, worry and uncertainty,” he said. “But I’m seeing a really strong undercurrent of kids who are going, ‘you know what, this might be the opportunity we need to have a bit of a break.’” Mr Litherland was concerned that families would be embarking on the upheaval during school holidays. “(The timing) is a positive in that it’s the Christmas holidays and a lot of kids and families will be quite active, but on the flip side without that extra support at school, with peers and teachers to bounce off, it’s almost like it has been handballed to families,” he said. “So much of it is uncertain.” With many teens expected to experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, restlessness and boredom, Mr Litherland said parents should remind their children there are still many ways to interact with their friends. Gaming platforms such as Roblox and message-based apps such as Messenger and WhatsApp are still permitted under the changes. “My presentations (to teens) in the last six months have been almost motivational speeches, about giving them an understanding that it’s not about punishing them, but the government is doing this because the social media networks continue to fail them,” he said. “We have an opportunity as a nation to try and shift the culture, and move towards networks that are being more respectful to teens as users.” Lawmakers all over the world will be watching on with interest in the coming months, with nations including Malaysia considering their own reforms. While there is widespread agreement in Australia about the harm social media can cause young people, and frustration at a lack of action from the major platforms, experts remain split on whether a ban is the right way to approach the issue. WA’s Commissioner for Children and Young People Jacqueline McGowan-Jones warned on Tuesday the ban threatened to sever marginalised young people from their essential networks, removing “not just screen time but critical avenues for survival, resilience and thriving”. In a joint opinion piece alongside Youth Pride Network manager Chloe Clements, Ms McGowan-Jones said young LGBTIQA+ people faced a double blow of increasing hatred and hostility online and the loss of the few digital spaces where they can “meaningfully connect, be affirmed and feel less alone”. “As public rhetoric hardens and harmful narratives gain traction, young LGBTIQA+ people, who are already navigating complex identities and often in hostile environments, are once again forced to shoulder the weight of this in the very places they once found safety,” the pair wrote. They said social media was a lifeline for many queer young people, especially those in rural and remote areas, and the ban exposed a troubling assumption that young people lack the capacity to navigate the online world responsibly. “Instead of recognising them as capable, critical thinkers who can be equipped with the skills to identify risks and keep themselves safe online, the policy casts them as passive and powerless,” they wrote. “Yes, social media can be harmful, but the biggest harm comes from inadequate digital literacy education; inconsistent online safety frameworks; and, critically, the persistent prejudice that allows hate speech and harassment to flourish.” On the eve of the changes social media site Bluesky, which functions similar to X, announced on Tuesday it would comply with the laws despite not being on the eSafety Commission’s list of banned platforms. “We’ve upgraded our age assurance system to comply with upcoming laws in Australia and other regions,” the company said in a statement. It came as popular online forum Reddit said it would start blocking users under 16, despite warning it may launch legal action against the “erroneous” policy. In a post to users on Tuesday morning, Reddit spelled out how it would comply with the ban despite disagreeing with its scope, effectiveness and privacy implications. “By limiting account eligibility and putting identity tests on internet usage, this law undermines everyone’s right to both free expression and privacy, as well as account-specific protections,” the post read. The platform said the laws go “far beyond the intent of the Australian parliament, especially when other obvious platforms are exempt”. Under changes introduced by Reddit, new Australian users will provide their birth date during sign up and all account holders will be subject to an “age prediction model”. WA Attorney General Tony Buti said the State Government strongly supported the groundbreaking legislation, which was a critical step towards creating safer online environments. “We know this transition may be a challenging time for families with young teenagers who regularly using these apps, but I would implore Western Australian parents to support this important global-leading initiative, monitor what their children are doing and don’t support them in finding ways to circumvent it,” he said.