aged16 × Anonamed
Understanding the social media ban —
for families, teens and clinicians.
Overview Parents Teens News hub Clinicians anonamed.com
Front page · overview

When social media switches off for under-16s

Australia’s new rules push many teens off mainstream social platforms just as summer holidays begin. aged16 × Anonamed tracks the policy, the tech, the withdrawal – and the very different experiences for families trying to keep everyone safe and sane.

Age verification
Withdrawal & FOMO
Parents & teens
Rural, disabled & LGBTQIA+ teens

Screens vs real life – the emotional whiplash

Royalty-free images showing stress, conflict and unexpected upsides.

Phone showing social media apps
Apps at the centre of teen life Icons that once meant instant contact now hit age gates or outright blocks.
Stressed teenager looking at phone
Withdrawal & FOMO For some, the ban feels like “everyone else is still online except me”.
Children playing outside
More daylight, less blue light Others rediscover backyard cricket, swimming and offline hobbies.
Parent and teen arguing
New flashpoints at home Arguments erupt when rules feel one-sided or suddenly imposed.
Family dinner together
Dinners without devices Some families report more conversation and fewer silent, scrolling meals.

For parents & caregivers

Holiday survival, withdrawal, and how to spot real red flags. For a longer version, see the dedicated parents page ↗.

Christmas holidays under new rules ↗ How families fill long, hot days when feeds disappear or shrink.
Device fights at the dinner table ↗ De-escalation tips vs shouting matches about “just one more check”.
Withdrawal or something more? ↗ When grumpiness, sleep changes or isolation may need professional support.

For teens & young people

You didn’t design these rules, but you’re the one who has to live with them. For more, see the dedicated teens page ↗.

“Everyone else is still online” ↗ FOMO, streaks, group chats and what happens when they suddenly change.
What’s still allowed ↗ Messaging apps, gaming, school platforms and streaming that still work.
Sex ed & health info ↗ Finding decent info about sex, consent, contraception and STIs when feeds shrink.

Deep-dive topics – live news at a tap

Each tile opens a DuckDuckGo News search around a vulnerable group or edge case – from LGBTQIA+ teens and rural isolation to domestic violence, sex education and teens running online businesses. For even more, visit the news hub ↗.

ID age verification Passports, licences, AI scans. Age errors for kids Mistakes locking out under-16s. Adults mislabelled under-age Parents & workers losing access. VPN use & traps Bypassing rules, raising new risks. Teens with online businesses Shops, art, music and brand deals disrupted. Withdrawal & mood Sleep, irritability, identity shocks. Social isolation Losing daily contact with friends. Rural & remote teens When online is the town square. Disabled teens & chronic illness Access to communities & pacing tools. Support groups disappearing Peer-run spaces for grief, illness and identity. ADHD & regulation Hyperfocus, boredom, healthier rhythms. Autistic teens Special-interest spaces going dark. Depression & anxiety Supports vs doomscrolling – what remains. LGBTQIA+ & questioning Loss of queer community & language online. Closeted teens When home isn’t a safe place to talk. Conservative / religious homes Faith, values and online restriction colliding. Domestic violence & coercive control Peers and services spotting fewer red flags. Sexual abuse risks Harms may move platform, not disappear. Sex ed, contraception & STIs Trusted info harder to find when feeds shrink. Online vs offline friendships Digital ties snapped overnight – real-world fallout.