Mental Health Nurses Respond to Blanket Social Media Ban for Under-16s
10 December 2025
Re: Mental Health Nurses respond to blanket social media ban for under-16s
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) has expressed concern about Australia’s new law banning social media access for people under 16. ACMHN warns the law, which came into effect today, may unintentionally harm youth mental health and is urging the government to adopt alternative safety measures focused on education and platform accountability. Prominent researchers have cautioned against using social media as a “convenient scapegoat” for complex youth wellbeing issues (Christensen et al., 2024).
“We all want to keep children safe online, but a one-size-fits-all social media ban is not supported by scientific evidence,” said Professor Rhonda Wilson, President of ACMHN. “Social media carries risks, but it also provides vital support and connection for many young people. We are concerned this ban will cut off important peer support networks and drive vulnerable young people into less visible online spaces.”
The new law raises the minimum age for social media to 16, requiring platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat to block younger users or face significant fines (Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, 2024). While acknowledging the harms of cyberbullying and inappropriate content, ACMHN notes there is no clear evidence that a blanket ban will improve mental health. Instead, it warns of potential unintended consequences:
- Youth workarounds: Young people may move to unregulated apps or use fake accounts, increasing exposure to unsafe content (Boseley, 2025).
- Social isolation: Exclusion from online communities may increase loneliness, particularly for rural and LGBTQIA+ young people who rely on online peer support (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2024; Carnell, 2024).
- Barriers to help-seeking: Many young people use online platforms to access mental health information and crisis support. The ban may reduce access if safe alternatives are not provided.
ACMHN also raises concerns about privacy and human rights. Age verification measures may intrude on the privacy of all Australians (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2024) and may conflict with young people’s rights to information and participation.
Rather than an outright ban, mental health nurses are calling for a harm-reduction approach, including:
- Improved digital literacy education for children and parents
- A legal duty of care for technology companies to make platforms safe by design
- Age-appropriate platform experiences with additional protections
- Increased investment in youth mental health services and moderated online communities
“We urge the government to pause and reconsider. Young people must be part of designing solutions that protect them without cutting them off,” Professor Wilson said. “Mental health nurses see the value of connection in recovery. We should equip young people to navigate online spaces safely, not simply lock the door.”
The ACMHN Digital Mental Health Nursing Special Interest Group, led by Associate Professor Oliver Higgins, is ready to provide evidence-based advice and detailed recommendations to support policymakers. ACMHN stands ready to work with government to develop safer, more effective approaches to online safety that support young people’s mental health, development and rights.
References
Australian Human Rights Commission. (2024). Proposed social media ban for under-16s in Australia. https://humanrights.gov.au/about-us/news/proposed-social-media-ban-under-16s-australia
Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. (2024, 29 November). Social media reforms to protect our kids online pass Parliament. https://www.pm.gov.au/media/social-media-reforms-protect-our-kids-online-pass-parliament
Boseley, M. (2025, 4 December). Heard of Coverstar, Lemon8 or Yope? Teenagers rush to apps not covered by social media ban. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/04/under-16s-are-already-fleeing-to-apps-not-covered-by-australias-social-media-ban-heres-where-theyre-going
Carnell, H. (2024). LGBTQ+ youth love TikTok. Does TikTok love them back? https://newsisout.com/2024/12/lgbtq-youth-love-tiktok-does-tiktok-love-them-back/29404/
Christensen, H., Slade, A., & Whitton, A. (2024). Social media: The root cause of rising youth self-harm or a convenient scapegoat? Medical Journal of Australia, 221(10), 524–526. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.52503
About ACMHN
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses is the peak professional organisation representing mental health nurses in Australia. For nearly 50 years, ACMHN has been committed to improving mental health care through strong professional standards and advocacy.
ENDS
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TAGS: Australian College of Mental Health Nurses press release, mental health nursing