Social media ban: How parents can help kids suffering withdrawals
Parents must be alert to all kinds of wild reaction as they adjust to a new normal ahead of the under-16 age ban on social media, writes Kylie Lang.
Parents are being warned their children could battle “heroin like” withdrawal symptoms as the new social media ban for under-16s kicks in this week.
Psychologists and parenting experts have joined forces to give mums and dads the tools they need ahead of the December 10 world-first ban, driven by News Corp’s Let Them Be Kids campaign.
They say the ban – which initially covers Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick – could trigger anger, anxiety, feelings of isolation and deceptive behaviour.
But there are ways to guide children through this short-term upheaval and into a healthier and happier new normal.
Adolescent psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg calls the ban “the first serious act of national self-defence we’ve seen in years”.
“Australia will finally do what Silicon Valley hoped we’d never do: cut off their supply of young, vulnerable users,” Dr Carr-Gregg says.
“And now parents must step up, because the moment those apps vanish, the truth will hit like a freight train.”
SEE THE TIPS FROM OUR EXPERTS BELOW >>>
Dr Carr-Gregg says many kids are “far more hooked than anyone realised”.
“Some will rage. Some will cry. Some will behave like you’ve cut off oxygen – that’s withdrawal.”
He says parents shouldn’t confuse a week of discomfort with a crisis – “and a teenager insisting their “life is over” is simply proving why this ban is necessary”.
“This is the moment to reclaim childhood from algorithms that never loved our kids and never cared.”
Dr Carr-Gregg advises parents to build a weekly plan of real-world activities, such as sport, music, volunteering or learning a skill.
“Without Snapchat streaks and Instagram validation loops, teens will have to rediscover how to talk, negotiate, argue, apologise and connect without filters. Support them, but don’t helicopter them.”
Have daily check-ins with your kids, asking direct questions, and model positive behaviour.
“This ban will collapse if parents keep behaving like addicts themselves,” Dr Carr-Gregg says.
“If you’re doom-scrolling at the dinner table, you’ve surrendered the moral high ground.”
Parenting author and podcaster Maggie Dent says it’s important that teens – and mums and dads – understand the ban is not a punishment.
Ms Dent says families should have conversations that highlight the depth of harm social media has been causing, including suicide, and make it clear the law is about holding platforms accountable.
“Any major change will create a sense of emotional angst and stress, and we need to reassure our under 16s this is normal,” she says.
Ms Dent, a member of the Ctrl+Shft online safety coalition, says tweens and teens are searching for their sense of identity – and being off social media will help them find it.
“Without being marinated in the negative content that currently exists on social media, there is a much better chance there will be less self-loathing, anxiety and distress – it’s a chance to have more time to discover who they really are,” she says.
Parenting educator Michelle Mitchell says parents should ensure their connection with their teenager stays stronger than ever.
“Lean into words like wellbeing, safety, agreements, contracts and trust,” Ms Mitchell says.
And don’t bring “illegal” into the discussion.
“In my three decades of work with teenagers, I’ve never found using the word illegal very effective,” she says.
“What feels like a weighty threat to adults can feel theatrical to teens, and more like a dare than a boundary.”
Arne Rubinstein is CEO of the Rites of Passage Institute, which runs transformative programs for young people.
Parental buy-in is critical, says Dr Rubinstein, the 2025 Australian Father of Year and a former GP.
“Please don’t be one of those parents who thinks it’s OK to go against the system and support your child to continue to use social media covertly and illegally.
“There is nothing cool about thinking your kid is special and not being impacted.”
Dr Rubinstein says forced withdrawal from social media and mobile phones has been found to create a similar impact to removing heroin from an addict.
“There is a decent chance your children will be angry, will try everything possible to bargain and persuade you to let them continue to use social media with fake IDs, could easily lie about what they are doing, and may not speak to you.
“Fortunately, withdrawals have been shown to remain acute for a limited period of time, so things will improve, but know that once an addict, always an addict, so it’s vital you stay the course.”
A simple tool for reinforcing connection is the “rose, thorn and banana peel” check-in for every family member at meal times.
A rose signals something good that has happened that day; a thorn, something tricky or challenging; and a banana peel, something fun, quirky or interesting.
“Social media has robbed too many children of their individuality, made them believe there is something wrong with them,” Dr Rubinstein says.
“What children need more than ever is active engagement with their parents and support to be their unique selves along with all their gifts, quirks and ways of seeing the world.”
Clinical and research psychologist Simon Wilksch played a key role in the Let Them Be Kids campaign and attended the digital safety conference hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the UN in New York in September.
Professor Wilksch says the good news for parents is that while kids may rebel against the ban, “benefits can be expected quite quickly”.
While he encourages parents to help facilitate social activities in the first two weeks, he says periods of boredom can also be helpful.
“Don’t put pressure on yourself for them to have constant plans.”
Parenting educator Justin Coulson, founder of happyfamilies.com.au, says while the ban is a great move, much of the internet will still be available to kids.
“So focus on keeping devices out of bedrooms and bathrooms; set clear limits; and encourage real-world play,” he says.
“The law won’t solve everything. Kids will still find ways to connect, and unsafe corners of the internet will remain. But this law creates a protective baseline and sends a clear message: childhood deserves protection.”
TOP 5 TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS
DR MICHAEL CARR-GREGG
Adolescent psychologist
■ Hold the line: withdrawals are proof the ban was needed.
■ Structure the holidays or Silicon Valley will fill the vacuum.
■ Push real-world connection: messy, human, essential.
■ Support without smothering: guidance beats helicoptering.
■ Model the standard: put down your own phone first.
MAGGIE DENT
Parenting educator
■ Prepare kids to keep valued content “just in case” it disappears.
■ Reassure them they will still have ways of connecting.
■ Work with your kids to plan the time after with calm curiosity and compassion.
■ Prioritise connection opportunities for the initial months.
■ Direct anger and frustration towards big tech and algorithms.
DR JUSTIN COULSON
Parenting educator
■ Talk openly. Explain calmly why the change was necessary.
■ Ask kids to identify social media risks they’ve seen in their lives and their friends’.
■ Guide the shift. Help them save important photos and messages.
■ Build community. Get to know other parents. Organise playdates and hangouts.
■ Stay engaged. Visit esafety.gov.au for resources and updates.
MICHELLE MITCHELL
Parenting educator
■ Eliminate the word illegal. Use language that protects their mental health and safety.
■ Name the dangers clearly. Teens are already tired of superficial relationships, comparison culture and online bullying.
■ Update your family tech agreement together to reflect still active messaging apps, gaming chats and group texts.
■ Acknowledge how hard change is. Their world is about the shrink.
■ Keep relationship your focus – be the person they turn to, not hide from.
DR ARNE RUBINSTEIN
CEO Rites of Passage Institute
■ Know it may not go perfectly. The impact could be similar to heroin withdrawal.
■ Allow everyone in the family to express their feelings but make sure your kids know why the ban is in place.
■ Lead by example. Make a plan with agreements around your own tech use.
■ Plan tech-free activities. Resurrect forgotten activities like cooking or making model aeroplanes.
■ Don’t support your child to use social media covertly and illegally.
PROFESSOR SIMON WILKSCH
Clinical and research psychologist
■ Ask kids what needs social media was meeting and how else these needs could be met.
■ Reassure them it gets easier as more days pass.
■ Reflect on any changes they notice in their life post social media.
■ Work on an activities list together that can go on the fridge: with friends, family and self.
■ Set designated times when you are doing things with your child without phones present.
IF YOU NEED HELP
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Butterfly Foundation 1800 33 4673
Eating Disorders Families Australia 1300 19 5626
Headspace 1800 65 0900
Black Dog Institute (02) 9382 2991
Originally published as Social media ban: How parents can help kids suffering withdrawals
