Researchers Weigh in on Australia’s Social Media Ban

Julie Blake is a postdoctoral researcher at the Child Health Research Centre at the University of Queensland and an INVEST visiting fellow at the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry at the University of Turku. Trained in epidemiology and mental health research, Blake studies how childhood and family experiences shape wellbeing across the life course.

As of December 10 2025, the Australian government has banned the use of social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Youtube by minors under the age of 16. According to Blake, public reactions to the legislation have been sharply divided.

"It's a hot topic and there are people for it and against it. Australians recognize that social media platforms are rapidly evolving and can expose adolescents to harmful behaviours and content like cyberbullying and predatory behaviour. But some Australians argue that a blanket ban may be impractical and fail to adequately address the problem", she says.

Young people are likely to find ways to circumvent age restrictions, Blake notes. Still, some parents welcome the move as a way to regain control in a landscape where guidance is hard to come by. The ban allows parents to lean on the law, Blake says, making it easier to justify limits on smartphones or social media accounts.

Social Media Research Key to Understanding Adolescent Wellbeing

Dr. Blake has published a review article with professors Andre Sourander and James Scott on adolescent social media use, a topic now thrust into international focus as Australia has legislated an age limit many consider unprecedented.

"Adolescent social media use is a major issue in Finland as well. It's important for researchers and policymakers to monitor Australia's decision closely and learn what kind of positive and negative impacts this policy may have", says professor Sourander.

At the policy level, the ban seeks to reduce exposure to several key mental health risks. Research on social media is extensive, Blake and Sourander state, but it evolves more slowly than the technologies it aims to assess.

"Understanding adolescent mental health is essential, because these are formative years. Social media is now a major part of young people's everyday environment and that is why we in the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry want to study how social media can support young people, how it might harm them, and how we can guide healthier digital habits", Sourander says.

The Shift That Will Be Studied for Years

The big question is what the social media ban in Australia will actually do.

"Because it is the first policy of its kind, it is impossible to predict the psychological or social impact. It will probably have both positive and negative implications", Julie Blake says.

Critics argue that bans are a blunt instrument and that more nuanced interventions may be more effective. Blake would prefer a public health approach such as broad education for parents, children, and the community in general, improved parental monitoring tools, and even delaying smartphone ownership more generally.

"Platforms are required to share data on account closures and demonstrate compliance. Responsibility for enforcement will rest with tech companies. Schools, families and existing mental health services will all need resources to help young people navigate the transition."

For Blake, Australia's move marks a major shift that researchers will likely study for years. Whether the ban becomes a global model or a cautionary tale remains to be seen, but its impact will almost certainly shape how societies rethink adolescence in the digital age.