Australia Social Media Ban: Teens Say It’s Easy to Bypass

The Australia social media ban for under-16s began nearly two months ago. However, many teenagers say it has not changed much. Instead, they quickly found ways to adapt. Several countries now watch Australia closely. For example, the UK, France, and Malaysia discuss similar rules. Therefore, global interest in this policy continues to grow.
Australian officials admit the ban is not a quick fix. They believe it may shift habits over time. As a result, early outcomes feel mixed for young people.

Teens Adapt, Circumvent, or Move On

Some teens say they lost access to certain apps. However, many created new accounts with fake birthdays. Others switched to messaging apps or browsed content without signing in. A few teens noticed more face-to-face interaction. For example, friends now share videos in person. That change made social moments feel more meaningful.
In addition, some teens felt exposed to mature content after bypassing limits. As a result, they started setting personal restrictions themselves. This shows growing awareness, not reduced screen time.
Others say the ban barely matters.
They already relied on texts, WhatsApp, or YouTube without accounts. Therefore, their routines stayed the same. Many teens agree on one thing. Circumventing the Australia social media ban was surprisingly easy. They question whether the policy targets the right problem. Some argue the funding could help regulate platforms instead. Others believe education would work better. As a result, debate continues among families, schools, and lawmakers.
Overall, teens describe the ban as an inconvenience, not a barrier. While habits shifted slightly, online life continues. The real impact may take years to understand.