Researchers to track the effects Australia’s social media ban for under-16s
Researchers will run an unprecedented experiment to track what happens when Aussie teens are forced off social media – as new data shows how many still use their phones at school.
The effects of banning Australian children from using apps like TikTok will be tracked through nation-leading research, as new data reveals just how many kids are still using smart phones at school.
Researchers have begun recruiting schools to take part in an evaluation of age restrictions which will, from December, prevent children younger than 16 from creating social media accounts.
It follows a study which found about two in every five students continued to use their phone during breaks at school, despite phone bans being in place.
However, fewer than 6 per cent used their devices in class as well as breaks.
Mobile phones are banned in all public high schools around the country.
Private schools set individual rules but many impose the same restrictions.
Academics from Flinders University, in Adelaide, tracked students’ behaviour before and after phone bans were imposed at public schools in South Australia in mid-2023.
They found bans led to a “small but significant” drop in students’ psychological distress and negative feelings, such as being scared, miserable, afraid or sad.
Students abiding by the bans also reported fewer negative effects linked to “problematic” phone use, like fear of missing out, risky behaviour or comparing themselves to others.
At the Australian Science and Mathematics School in Adelaide, year 10 student Isabella said most of her peers “follow the rules” but there “are always a few who sneak a look during class, usually to check TikTok or messages”.
The 15-year-old felt banning phones in class was “generally fair because school is meant for learning, not endless scrolling”.
Classmate Caden, also 15, felt phone bans had “brought down cyber-bullying rates significantly”, but agreed some students were still using phones on campus “for either doomscrolling, for fun or to contact parents”.
Both teens use social media, including apps like Instagram and Messenger which are owned by tech giant Meta, “mostly” to connect with friends.
Caden felt banning use by under-16s was “a huge step for safety online” but suggested young people would try to find ways around the age limit.
Isabella also questioned how the ban would be enforced and raised concerns that some young people “will feel more isolated since they’ll lose one of their main ways of keeping in touch”.
From December 10, children aged under 16 will no longer be allowed to use social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Under new laws tech companies will be required to detect and deactivate existing underage accounts, and put in place age verification measures.
Flinders University academics have begun approaching public and private schools to understand their students’ social media media use ahead of the restrictions taking effect.
They will then track the impacts on the students’ mood, mental health, behaviour and academic engagement in the following months.
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Originally published as Researchers to track the effects Australia’s social media ban for under-16s
