Hi, I’m a teenager living in Australia, and I’m asking for your support.

 

The Australian government is planning to ban all kids under 16 from using social media — even with parental permission — starting in December 2025. This includes Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and more.

 

I believe this law will do more harm than good.

 

❌ Here’s why this ban is wrong:

 

It punishes responsible families. Many teens use social media safely, with their parents’ support and guidance.

It harms mental health. Taking away connection, expression, and online support can make teens feel isolated, anxious, or even depressed.

It ignores real solutions. Instead of banning us, the government should focus on education, better safety tools, and allowing parental consent for younger users.

It won’t work. Teens will find ways around it — using VPNs or lying about their age — which makes things less safe.

 

✅ What we’re asking for:

 

We’re calling on the Australian Government, the eSafety Commissioner, and Members of Parliament to:

 

Withdraw the social media ban for under-16s
Allow teens to use social media with verified parental consent
Support education, not restriction

 

 

Let parents be parents — and let teens have a voice.

 

 

🙌 Who this petition represents:

 

Teens who use social media for school, creativity, friends, and mental health
Parents who want to guide their kids, not lose control
Anyone who believes in digital freedom, not fear

 

Banning social media could greatly affect the mental health of children, why is the government trying to be the parent? Teens use social media every day for education, productivity, contacting friends and loved ones, are the government really going to take away teenagers rights voice and happiness? I believe this is not the right choice and not the government decision to make, this could make children depressed and even suicidal if they can’t express themselves or contact people for help. Instead of taking away teens and parents rights why not help make social media more safe for kids instead of taking it away. In the end  it’s up to Australia if they want the young people of their country to be depressed but I don’t think this is the right decision.

 

Is the government making the right decision by.trying to parent your kids, puting a cover over the real problem and in the end making it impossible for a lot of people to express themselves so they can get away with making laws that aren’t right for Australia, it’s people and their happiness and rights

 

 

In summary what affects will this have on the young people of Australia 

 

1. 

Social isolation,

Teens don’t just use Instagram or Snapchat for fun — it’s how they:

Stay in touch with friends
Find support when they’re struggling
Feel seen and included

Cutting that off could make kids feel lonely, excluded, or disconnected — especially if they live in remote areas or don’t have strong offline support.

 

 

 

2. 

Mental health risks

 

Imagine being 14, already struggling with anxiety, and suddenly losing the only online space where you felt understood.
That can lead to depression, feeling “cut off from the world”, and in some cases, even suicide — especially if no alternative support is offered.

 

3. 

It won’t actually stop the problems

 

 

Kids will lie about their age.
They’ll use fake accounts, VPNs, or international platforms the government can’t block.
So you’re not removing the danger — you’re just driving it underground and making it harder for parents to supervise.

 

 

4. 

It ignores good parenting

 

Parents who are doing the right thing — talking to their kids, setting limits, monitoring their accounts — are being treated the same as parents who don’t care at all.
That feels unfair and removes trust between families and the government. 

 

 

 

 

💔 The Big Picture?

 

If kids grow up feeling distrusted, isolated, and unheard, it can lead to higher rates of:

 

Depression
Anxiety
Self-harm
And sadly, sometimes suicide

 

And if teens and families feel unsupported, some may leave Australia for countries where they feel freer or more respected. That’s the sad reality of this ban.

So Im asking you for teens In Australia please don’t take away our happiness, freedom, and rights.

 

 

 

Please sign and share this if you believe:

 

Teens deserve support — not silence.

Safety is important — but bans are not the answer.

Teens (with the proper understanding of the dangers) should be able to express themselves, contact family, friends and loved ones, be happy and use the great parts of social media like education productivity and fun.