The Social Media Ban

by Dean of Students, Mr David Knight

Australia's social media ban for children under 16 officially took effect on 10 December 2025. The ban was introduced with a clear goal: to protect young people from the growing concerns around screen addiction, online harm and the mental health impacts of constant connectivity. On paper, the ban promises a reset for our young people; fewer distractions, improved wellbeing and stronger face-to-face relationships. But following investigations with our Middle School students at St Laurence’s College, the reality is far more complex. 

While access to social media may be restricted, it hasn’t disappeared. Students are still finding ways around the ban and this raises an important question: what impact has the ban really had on students?

At Lauries, students aren’t allowed to use their phones from 8.30am - 3pm. The College rule was introduced in 2019 following feedback from students, staff and parents. A Head of Year at the time reported that a student’s phone had over 300 notifications in one day from social media and messaging services alone. With that level of distraction waiting for him and these notifications coming through all day, it’s no wonder students struggle to focus when they have their devices on hand. How can meaningful learning happen when their attention is being constantly pulled away by their phones?

A recent survey of our Middle School students (all under the age of 16) would suggest that the ban has not eliminated the use of social media. Many continue to access platforms through alternative accounts, older siblings’ details, Virtual Private Network (VPN) or
simply by changing their date of birth. For most students, social media remains an integral method of communication, especially outside school hours.

From our data of 408 students, 307 reported accessing YouTube, making it the most popular social media platform among this age group. 

Age restrictions for major social media platforms have undergone significant changes, particularly in Australia. Here is a breakdown of the current restrictions: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, X (Twitter), YouTube, Reddit and Twitch: 

• Mandatory Age (Australia): Under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, anyone under 16 is prohibited from holding accounts and parental consent cannot bypass this rule. 
• Action Taken: Platforms like Instagram (Meta), Snapchat and TikTok were required to deactivate existing accounts of users under 16 and block new sign-ups from that demographic. 
• WhatsApp is not considered an age-restricted social media platform under this new law.
• New Parent-Managed Accounts: As of March 2026, Meta is rolling out "pre-teen" accounts for users under 13 (or the minimum age in their region) that require linking to a parent or guardian's account.

Connection, not just Distraction

For many students, social media isn’t just entertainment, it’s connection. Group chats, shared videos and online communities help students maintain friendships, especially for those who may feel isolated or anxious in face-to-face settings. During busy weeks filled
with assignments, training and extra-curricular commitments, social media often becomes the easiest way to stay connected. 

The ban has challenged this, particularly for students who rely on online spaces for support or self-expression. While reducing screen time is valuable, removing access without providing alternatives can leave some students feeling disconnected rather than protected.

Mental Health: A Mixed Impact

Mental health sits at the centre of the social media debate. The ban aims to reduce anxiety, comparison culture and exposure to harmful content. However, students’ experiences have been mixed. Some feel less pressure and distraction, while others report frustration
and stress from feeling “out of the loop.” The fear of missing out hasn’t vanished, it has simply shifted. When students know others are still online despite the ban, it can increase feelings of exclusion or unfairness. This suggests that mental wellbeing isn’t determined
solely by access, but by how social media is used and understood.

Our young people are telling us, there are plenty of ways around the social media restrictions. According to the students, many parents are also aware of these tactics, but they’re reluctant to challenge the norm. 

This highlights a major limitation of the ban: restriction does not equal education. Students are highly adaptable and when use is driven underground, there is less opportunity for guidance from parents and teachers about responsible online behaviour, privacy and digital wellbeing. 

Many responses also point to the importance of guidance rather than control. Students are more likely to make good choices when they understand the why behind expectations and feel trusted to grow into greater responsibility over time. This reinforces the idea that wellbeing, engagement and learning are closely connected.

Practical Advice for Families

• Keep communication open: Regular, calm conversations help students feel heard and reduce the likelihood of issues escalating.
• Be consistent with boundaries: Clear and predictable limits help young people feel safe, even if they occasionally push back. 
• Explain the ‘why’: When students understand the reasons behind rules, they are more likely to cooperate and self regulate.
• Model healthy habits: Whether it’s managing technology, handling stress or resolving conflict, students learn as much from what they see as from what they are told. 
• Stay connected with the school: Reaching out early, before concerns grow, helps ensure students receive the right support at the right time.

Small, steady actions at home, combined with consistent support from school, create the conditions for young people to flourish, academically, socially and emotionally.

What can we learn moving forward?

The social media ban has sparked important conversations, but the ban is not a complete solution. Teaching students how to use social media responsibly, understanding algorithms, managing screen time, recognising harmful content and maintaining balance, may be more
effective than outright bans. 

At Lauries, where community and personal growth are central values, this moment presents an opportunity. Rather than viewing social media as the enemy, we can encourage healthier habits, open conversations and digital literacy that will benefit students long after
school.

The real impact of the ban lies not in what has been blocked, but in what it has revealed: that meaningful change comes from education, trust and balance. As students, teachers and families continue to adjust, the focus should shift from control to understanding, because social media isn’t going away and neither are the young people growing up with it.