Social media ban for under-16s: why Australia risks isolating young people with disability

Australia’s social media ban for under-16s is just weeks away. From December 10, 2025, anyone under 16 will be barred from accessing major platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).

While the intent is to protect young people from online harm, disability advocates warn that this “protection” could cut off a crucial lifeline for teenagers who rely on digital spaces for social connection, self-expression and community.

Connection, not just scrolling

For many teens with disability, social media is not about chasing likes or trends, it’s how they stay connected when physical or social barriers limit real-world participation.

Take 15-year-old Wren Alfaro, who lives with chronic fatigue, autism and mobility challenges. On tough days, when leaving the house isn’t possible, online communities are where they talk to friends, share art and find people who understand.

“It’s the only place I can just exist and still be part of something,” Wren says.

This isn’t unique. Research by disability support organisations shows that digital connection can significantly reduce isolation and anxiety for young people with chronic illness, neurodivergence or mobility limitations.

What the ban covers – and what it doesn’t

The Online Safety Amendment Act 2025 will prevent anyone under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on the listed social platforms.

• The rule applies to Australians aged 13–15, effectively extending the minimum age by three years.

• Messaging apps, school-based platforms and gaming services remain exempt – for now.

• Platforms will bear the responsibility for age verification and compliance; details are still being finalised.

The government argues the ban will help reduce exposure to cyberbullying, exploitation and harmful content. But critics say it’s a one-size-fits-all policy that doesn’t consider the needs of young people who already face barriers offline.

The risk of cutting off community

Disability advocates are sounding the alarm about unintended consequences:

• Social isolation – Teens with limited mobility or chronic illness may lose their primary way to maintain friendships.

• Loss of peer support – Online disability communities provide validation, advice and a sense of belonging that few offline environments match.

• Reduced representation – Young people with disability use social media to speak out about accessibility, inclusion and identity. Removing that outlet silences an important voice.

• Mental-health impact – Disconnection from peer networks can heighten loneliness and anxiety, particularly among teens already vulnerable to isolation.

As one advocate put it bluntly: “The law assumes every teen can just ‘go outside and socialise’. That’s not reality for many disabled young people.”

Calls for a more inclusive approach

Disability groups have urged the government to pause or adapt the rollout to avoid leaving these teens behind. Their key recommendations:

• Tailored access pathways for young people with disability, allowing safe, verified use of social platforms under supervision or through exemption frameworks.

• Stronger digital-safety education instead of blanket bans – teaching all young people how to navigate online risks.

• Consultation with disabled youth before further enforcement, ensuring lived experience informs future regulation.

Advocates argue that the law should protect without erasing, ensuring young people can stay safe and connected.

What families and support workers can do now

With the ban approaching, parents, carers and educators should act early:

1. Talk openly about the change, and validate teens’ concerns about losing online contact.

2. Explore alternatives such as moderated forums, disability-specific chat groups or accessible community apps.

3. Advocate through schools or NDIS providers for digital-inclusion policies that reflect individual needs.

4. Promote digital literacy, so when teens are allowed back online (at 16), they return with skills, not fear.

A chance to get this right

Australia’s goal – to keep children safe – is understandable. But when policy moves faster than lived experience, marginalised voices risk being sidelined.

For many young people with disability, social media isn’t a distraction from real life. It is real life – their friendships, communities and sense of identity live there.

As the ban takes effect, policymakers have one final opportunity: listen to the young people most affected before cutting them off from the spaces where they finally feel seen.