World-first study to expose real impact of Australia’s teen social media ban

Teenagers are being offered cash to do this in the weeks before and after Australia enforces the world’s first under-16 platform ban in less than two months. SEE THE DETAILS

EXCLUSIVE

With Australia’s under-16 social media ban less than two months away, researchers are calling on teens to join a world-first study tracking its impact on mental health and screen time.

The Connected Minds Study, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and Deakin University, is calling on 13- to 16-year-olds and their parents to take part in new research monitoring the effects of the ban before and after it begins on December 10.

Under the new rules, major platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube will be required to block anyone under 16 from creating or keeping accounts — a move backed by the federal government as part of efforts to protect children online.

The new legislation was prompted by News Corp’s Let Them Be Kids campaign.

MCRI Professor Susan Sawyer said the results of the study would help inform whether blocking social media was effective at changing adolescents’ phone use patterns and improving their mental wellbeing.

“Some evidence links social media use to adolescent mental and physical health, but a clear cause-and-effect relationship hasn’t been proven,” she said.

“Crucially, we need to hear from young people and their families about what they think about the upcoming restrictions and ultimately what changes it makes to their lives to better inform debates around the potential harms, or benefits, of social media.”

Fifteen-year-old Nick Leech, a regular user of Snapchat, WhatsApp and TikTok, will be one of the teens taking part in the study.

Nick Leech, 15, is taking part in the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute study. Picture: Supplied

“I use social media a lot for watching videos, contacting friends and family and catching up on the latest news and information,” he said.

“I think life after the ban will involve a lot less use of screens and more teens going and doing stuff.”

All study participants will complete a short survey before and after the social media age restrictions start.

Running alongside the survey will be an optional two-week mobile phone study. Using a secure research-based app, the study will collect de-identified information on the amount of time spent on social media, sleep, physical activity and daily surveys on social media use and young people’s feelings on social connectedness.

“With Australia leading the world on delaying social media for young people, we have a major social experiment ahead of us,” Professor Sawyer said.

“Uniquely, our study will objectively measure social media usage, rather than just relying on self-reported use.

News Corp Australia successfully campaigned for the ban.

“The restrictions have generated a lot of interest globally with many countries seeking to adopt similar restrictions.

“Our findings will help us to advocate for young people, better inform policy decisions and determine whether further regulations on social media companies are warranted.”

The same MCRI team recently found almost three quarters of adolescents in Australia experience clinically significant depression or anxiety symptoms, noting that beyond clinical care, wider preventive strategies were urgently required.

Young people who take part in the study will receive up to $80 in gift vouchers across each stage of the research.

For more on the study email [e-mail]

Originally published as World-first study to expose real impact of Australia’s teen social media ban