A new report titled Young Australians’ perspectives on the social media minimum age legislation, analyses the perspectives of 86 people aged 12 to 15 from across Australia who were interviewed about the upcoming legislation which proposes banning Australian children under the age of 16 from social media.

The authors found while teens acknowledge risks associated with social media, most believe the ban is not the solution.

Further, the study identified:

  • Young people want adults to know their social media experiences are varied and diverse.
  • They use social media purposefully for many reasons, including learning.
  • Social media is fun and supports important relationships and connections.
  • Young people want social media improved, but most don’t believe the under-16 age restriction is the answer.
  • Young people said there has been a lack of conversation about the age restrictions and little support for the transition post-December 10.
  • Most young people don’t believe the age restriction is enforceable.

The report was produced by a team including seven QUT researchers from the Digital Media Research Centre and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child along with researchers from Adelaide University, University of Southern Queensland, Western Sydney University and  Curtin University.

First author Dr Kim Osman said young people felt excluded from conversations about the ban.

“They want nuanced solutions and better education, not a one-size-fits-all approach,” she said.

QTU researchers who took part in the report included, above, from left, Professor Daniel Johnson, Professor Michael Dezuanni, Professor Daniel Angus and Dr Kim Osman.

Professor Michael Dezuanni said young people interviewed for the study said social media was a part of their everyday lives.

“It helps them connect with friends, learn and even support hobbies,” Dezuanni said.

“They want improvements to platforms, but they see a blanket ban as ineffective and potentially harmful.”

Professor Daniel Angus said for some teens, social media may be their primary community and support group.

“It will be difficult for some when that community disappears. For some it may be even worse,” Angus said.

“Our findings show that teens use social media purposefully – for learning, civic engagement and maintaining relationships.

“They’re asking for smarter regulation and stronger platform accountability.”

The interviews were conducted over five months in 2025.

Participants were asked about their knowledge of the social media ban, their experiences with social media, and what they wish adults understood about its role in their lives.

The study contains snippets from the interviews:

Boy, 15: “I enjoy talking to people and keeping good connections with people. It also keeps me up to date with what’s going on – in political ways and what’s going on in the world with news and things.”

Girl, 14: “Overall the ban will mean losing a big way for me to connect with my friends and family.”

Boy, 13: “It’s like trapping water with a net.”

Click here to read the full report, ‘Young Australians’ perspectives on the social media minimum age legislation’.