Australian social media ban is changing how some teens manage online life

Eight weeks after Australia introduced a ban on social media accounts for under-16s, the e-Safety Commissioner reported 4.7 million accounts flagged and deactivated, and five teenagers told the Guardian the rule has mostly been an inconvenience as many find workarounds or shift to other apps.

Australia's under-16 social media ban has been in effect for eight weeks and is being watched by other countries. Officials say the measure is intended to reduce online harms and to reset cultural norms around young people's use of platforms. The e-Safety Commissioner reported that 4.7 million accounts have been flagged and deactivated across affected services. The Guardian spoke with five teenagers about how the ban has affected their everyday online life and social habits. What officials and teens reported: - The e-Safety Commissioner announced 4.7 million accounts flagged and deactivated on affected platforms. - Several interviewed teenagers said the rule has been largely an inconvenience and many found simple workarounds, such as creating new accounts with older birthdates. - Some teens who re-emerged on platforms as older users reported encountering more sensitive political and violent content than before. - Others said their social interactions shifted to messaging apps, phone contacts, or in-person sharing, and that overall routines were little changed. Summary: The ban has produced a mix of administrative enforcement and practical adaptation among young people, with officials reporting large-scale account actions and teens describing workarounds or modest shifts in how they connect. Undetermined at this time.