Australia's social media ban for under-16s has triggered a wave of distress among teens and parents, with crisis service Kids Helpline receiving nearly 100 calls explicitly about the ban in its first three weeks. Service manager Leo Hede reported that callers include suicidal, highly distressed, disabled, and isolated teens, as well as parents dealing with increased conflict and meltdowns at home.
One young person told counsellors they used social media to manage urges for self-harm and were worried about losing that tool. Others feared being cut off from support networks and losing long-term digital friendships. A parent described an emotional shutdown, with children hiding devices and refusing to engage with family. Escalating arguments and regressive behaviours were also reported.
The highest distress came from children aged 10 to 14, with females and neurodivergent children disproportionately affected. A 12-year-old with autism and bullying issues said YouTube was crucial for learning and not feeling alone. A 13-year-old worried about losing friends during the transition to high school. Multiple calls described using online scrolling at night to distract from stress and anxiety.
Communications Minister Anika Wells is expected to release data on how many accounts have been deactivated, as part of compliance monitoring by the eSafety Commission. An eSafety spokeswoman said platforms have been cooperative with data requests. However, some children have evaded age assessment technology or circumvented the ban through deception.
Flinders University expert Dr Lisa Harrison sympathised with parents enforcing the ban, noting the science behind dopamine hits from online activity. She said parents face a difficult position managing children's feelings after their networks are suddenly taken away. The government's next focus is a Digital Duty of Care, with a consultation survey receiving over 1300 responses.
