When I turned 16, I downloaded Instagram after years of begging my parents. My rationale was always that social media was one of the primary ways people connected with friends during school breaks and kept up with the latest trends. Yet, in the year and a half since, Instagram has had more negative effects on my life than positive. My screen time has steadily increased as my hours of sleep have decreased. I turn to Instagram when I need a distraction, but I always end up feeling worse after scrolling.
Most teens get social media between 12 and 13 years old; it is alarming for me to think about being exposed when I was that age and did not have awareness about regulating my use.
One country, Australia, has taken action to curb the effects of social media on the youngest teens. Given how social media has been repeatedly proven to negatively affect teens’ mental health and lacks necessity, the United States should follow Australia’s example.
The Australian social media ban was implemented on Dec. 10, 2025, and prevents anyone under age 16 from having an account on Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X and YouTube. The ban was implemented after concerns from Australian officials that social media increases the chances of young people being exposed to harmful content and heightens anxiety and depression. Social media companies are expected to verify users’ ages and face fines of up to $50 million (Australian) if they do not comply with the ban.
The concerns of Australian officials have much merit, as social media has emerged as a leading contributor to the mental health crisis among young people. Spending more than three hours per day on social media doubles the risk of anxiety and depression. This is a frightening statistic, as most U.S. teens have been found to use TikTok and YouTube daily, with one in five survey respondents saying they use these platforms almost constantly, the Pew Research Center study reported.
Naturally, the ban is not watertight. Some Australian teenagers are still using social media to some capacity, finding loopholes such as fake birthdays, older siblings’ accounts and even VPNs. A similar pattern would most likely befall the United States, but would make an important difference in the lives of teens who embrace it. In a BBC report, one Australian teen reflected on how the ban feels freeing. She noticed being more disconnected from her phone and engaging in hobbies without procrastination.
Beyond being harmful to mental health, social media is simply not necessary for people under 16. While I wanted Instagram because everyone else had it, I was equally fulfilled without it. I had friendships and hobbies and was able to connect with people just as easily, whether in person or over FaceTime and messages. Australia has paved the way with other countries like Denmark, France, New Zealand and Malaysia considering similar bans. U.S. lawmakers should now take the vital steps to protect children and combat social media’s significant role in the youth mental-health crisis.
