IN 2025, over 4.7 million social media accounts were banned in Australia for users under the age of 16. Banning under 16s is too far. I believe this ban must be reduced to under 13s.
When the ban came into effect, many teens lost access to messaging platforms. This affects employed teens who use them to communicate with employers.
It is unacceptable that the government strips teens of platforms crucial for their occupation. If teens lose their job as a result of this, their mental health may suffer.
On social media teens can talk to people and make friends. If teens are lonely, it may ruin their mental health. Why don’t they just talk to a family member? Not everyone has a good relationship with their family. Being able to talk to people online produces dopamine and endorphins which boost mood and wellbeing.
Some may challenge me by saying social media has bad people, although partially correct, people will only encounter them if they are not mature enough to avoid them. Which is why it should be reduced to under 13s being banned.
The ban should be shifted to restrict access to social media for the immature under 13s.
Older teenagers are educated on cyber security more than 13-year-olds, 16-year-olds are more mature than that of a younger teen. 16-year-olds were smart enough to get around the ban, so was the ban really a success?
We must come together and fight for the ban to be lifted for 16-year-olds and reduced to the immature under 13s.
We trust 15-year-olds to work part time jobs, so why don’t we trust they are mature enough to use social media?
Hedley Witte
Irymple Secondary College
