When Australia passed its world-first teen social media restrictions late last year, reactions were swift, divided, and louder than a TikTok trend gone viral.
But now, with the initial firestorm of media coverage behind us, households across the country are quietly adjusting. Conversations are shifting. Teens are questioning. And for the first time in a long time, many families are asking: what does safe screen time really look like?
As a tech-savvy mum raising two boys (11 and 14), this new law has become more than just a headline – it’s become the centrepiece of some of the most thought-provoking conversations we’ve had all year.
A Brave First Step – Not a Silver Bullet
Let’s be clear: the Online Safety Amendment that came into effect on December 10, 2025 – effectively banning under 16s from signing up to or using social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and X – was never going to be a neat, easy fix for the digital challenges facing young people.
But it wasn’t meant to be.
This law is the first brave step in opening up a conversation that’s at least a decade overdue.
And that conversation? It’s happening. In kitchens, car rides, classrooms, WhatsApp groups and school staff rooms. The ban has sparked real, tangible discussions about what our kids see, experience, and internalise in the digital world.
What I’ve Learned From Talking To My Kids
One of the most valuable things I’ve done since the ban took effect is talk – really talk – to my boys about it. We’ve approached it like a debate, playing devil’s advocate and challenging each other to explore both sides. I’ve learnt more about their digital experiences than I ever would have from digging through their search history.
Here are just a few of the things they’ve shared with me:
“Mum, I get advertised an AI assistant who lies on a bed and says ‘I’ll do anything’ — like, 20 times a day. I’m only 11. It’s weird.”
“Why do they show kids so many gambling ads?”
“Why is there always a sexy girl in every game I want to play?”
If that barrage of highly sexualised and addiction building ad content doesn’t make your skin crawl, it should.
Straight Talk on What’s Working – And What’s Not
In the week post-ban, the rollout was messy (as expected).
Some platforms locked underage users out instantly. Others let them slip through the cracks. Facial recognition software misfired – flagging adults as children and vice versa. Verification systems demanded full ID scans, passport uploads, and even biometric data – a worrying overreach when many of these platforms are not legally accountable for protecting that personal information.
This is a huge amount of data being harvested from kids, with no clear plan for how it’s secured or stored. Mark my words: our children will pay the price if this isn’t addressed properly.
Still, amongst the chaos, families began to notice change – subtle, but significant. Some teens reported improved sleep. Parents felt emboldened to have deeper, longer conversations about content exposure, algorithms, and what constitutes healthy online habits.
✅ Pros vs ❌ Cons (so far)
✅ PROS
- It’s sparked crucial conversations – finally bringing digital wellbeing into the mainstream parenting narrative, with the ability for parents to point to a law that supports the narrative.
- It places pressure on big tech to rethink platforms designed to monetise attention at all costs.
- It reclaims a degree of control – even if symbolic – for families over their children’s digital environments.
- It creates space for innovation, forcing tech to consider building teen-specific platforms (YouTube Teen, Snapchat Lite… are you listening?).
❌ CONS
- Inconsistent enforcement has led to confusion, loopholes, and selective lockouts.
- Age verification tech is clunky, invasive, and controversial, with concerns about privacy and data security.
- Teen voices feel ignored, especially those using social media for positive, creative, or cultural connection.
- No regulation on what’s left – platforms like YouTube and gaming environments still bombard kids with adult ads, AI-generated slop content, and hyper-sexualised imagery.
Our Kids Deserve Better Than Cocomelon or Coco’s Melon’s
As it stands, children are often left to choose between Cocomelon-style toddler content or the full, uncensored chaos of the internet.
Surely there’s a middle ground?
Why not a “YouTube Teen” – a curated space for ages 10–15, with age-appropriate ads, positive messaging, and clear content ratings – just like we have for movies and games?
“If I can pay $10/month to remove ads from YouTube, why can’t I pay to keep my child safe from alcohol, gambling and sexualised content recommendations while they research topics for school?”
Big tech has the data, the funds, and the reach to create safe spaces. The only thing they’re lacking is the will – and this law may be the first sign that governments won’t let them off the hook anymore.
It’s Not About Banning Teens – It’s About Building Better Options
This isn’t about locking kids away from social media forever. It’s about creating a circuit breaker. A moment to pause. To assess. To force billion-dollar platforms to prove they can build with safety, responsibility and humanity in mind.
“Our kids’ minds are up for sale. This ban is one attempt to reclaim some of that ground — and demand better from the companies competing for their eyeballs.”
At every major tech event I’ve attended throughout December, this has been the conversation. The world is watching. Parents are paying attention. And the smartest people in the room aren’t asking “should kids be online?” – they’re asking “how do we keep them safe while they are?”
Let’s Keep The Conversation Going
If you’re a parent, guardian, teacher or mentor – talk to your teens. Ask them what they’re seeing online. Challenge them to think critically. Offer alternatives and safe spaces. Opt in for what they love – and opt out of what they shouldn’t be exposed to.
And remember – it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.
The teen social media ban won’t fix everything. But it’s opened a door, and it’s up to all of us to walk through it and build something better on the other side.