A fresh start: Helping boys navigate Australia’s new social media ban

Australia is preparing for a major shift in the digital lives of young people. From 10 December, children under 16 will be removed from eight major social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. This world-first move aims to protect young adolescents from harmful content, addictive design features and the pressures of online life – issues many boys face daily, often quietly.

The concerns driving the ban are real. Research from the eSafety Commission shows almost all 10–15-year-olds use social media, with many exposed to misogynistic content, body-image pressures, cyberbullying and endless algorithm-driven feeds. For many teens, features such as Snapstreaks or infinite scrolling have become so ingrained that they feel compelled to check in constantly. Some teenagers reported feeling stressed, panicked or “controlled” by their devices, while others described boredom and FOMO the moment the apps were removed.

A recent article in The Age got us thinking.

When a group of 14 and 15-year-olds trialled a five-day social media break, something interesting happened. The first days were difficult – instinctively grabbing the phone, feeling anxious about missing messages, or simply not knowing what to do with themselves. But by mid-week, many found unexpected positives: more sleep, more real-life catch-ups, rediscovering old hobbies, walking the dog, even helping out at work or home because they had time and headspace. Some felt calmer, less bombarded by comparison culture, and more connected to the world around them.

For parents of boys, who often express less openly how online pressures affect them, this transition may need support and understanding. The ban won’t remove the challenges of adolescence, but it does create a circuit breaker.

How parents can help their sons adjust

Start early
Begin gradually reducing screen time now. Step it down week by week to soften the change.

Talk openly
Acknowledge that boredom and FOMO are normal in the early days. Invite your son to describe what feels hardest.

Rebuild connections
Help him collect friends’ phone numbers, start group chats, or plan in-person catch-ups.

Encourage real-world routines
Sport, chores, part-time work, and hobbies offer structure that screens often crowd out.

Model balance
Show your own healthy habits – boys notice far more than they say.

As one teen reflected after her detox: stepping back reminded her how much time she’d been giving away to people she barely knew. Many boys may discover the same – and feel freer for it.

Brought to you by Brighton Grammar School