The new law restricting under-16s from using certain social media platforms takes force on December 10—and 87% of over 1000 GPs support it, a national Healthed poll has found.

The government says delaying access to platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube aims to reduce pressure and exposure to harmful content that can be hard for children to deal with, and which can adversely affect their health.

Two experts who support the upcoming restrictions say the negative impact of social media outweighs potential benefits in younger age groups. Here are their tips to help young people cope with the changes.

1.Reassure parents that delaying social media access is beneficial

Wayne Warburton, Professor of Developmental Psychology at Macquarie University and a specialist in teenage screen disorders, says the evidence clearly demonstrates social media can be harmful—and it can help to point this out to parents.

“It’s really clear that for somebody who’s young, the potential for harm probably outweighs the potential benefits given that there are so many other ways to communicate and connect to other people.”

Risks include poorer mental and physical health and exposure to social comparison, bullying, grooming, predation, uncivil behaviour, and extreme views, he says.

Social media use has been linked to worse mental health, especially among girls, including increased anxiety, eating disorders, depression and low self esteem.

Moreover, arguments that delaying access to social media will lead to disconnection don’t hold up, Dr Warburton says.

“With or without social media, young people really have more ways to communicate than they’ve had in all of history—live chat, web chat, text, phone, online, email, face-to-face. And taking away social media doesn’t take away the ability to connect. It just removes some of the platforms where there’s potential for harm,” Professor Warburton says.

It’s also likely to benefit children seeking support online, he says.

“This age change just knocks out some of the dodgy places on social media that young people could go to for advice. And I think it’s much more likely to actually funnel them to high quality health care and mental health care.”

2.Remember teens are highly adaptable

Teenagers’ brains are rapidly changing, and they can usually change course quickly too, Professor Warburton says.

“When phones were banned in New South Wales schools there was a massive outcry beforehand. But you never hear a whimper now. Why is that? Because on so many important outcomes it has been a success. But more importantly, after a few weeks to adjust teenagers did what they do best—they just adapted to the new circumstances. And the same thing is going to happen with social media.”

Dr Danielle Einstein, a clinical psychologist specialising in anxiety and Adjunct Fellow at Macquarie University, agrees.t

“While we need to be empathic about the change and the adjustment, we’ve got to also keep in the back of our minds the fact that teens really do adapt well. So we want to support them with their feelings and talk about what’s necessary, but also at the same time be understanding and resolute about the fact that this change is actually coming,” she says.

3.Normalise conversations about screen use

Dr Einstein suggests asking about screen time when you’re seeing someone for anxiety or depression.

“Very often parents, or teenagers themselves, get a surprise when they look at their screen time and it starts them thinking about how this might be actually impacting their mental health.”

To get a sense of whether someone may have unhealthy reliance on their device, she asks about their self-care, sleep and if they can manage emotions without it.

Professor Warburton says the law gives parents a starting point to talk about screen use, but also life more generally.

“It’s an opportunity to have a really good conversation about a healthy and balanced lifestyle that is going to give that young person the life they aspire to in the long term.”

4.Encourage other ways to manage stress

Kids sometimes turn to screens when they’re angry, sad, anxious, or bored to manage negative feelings—but it does not work long term, Professor Warburton stresses.

“That is not a strategy to take into later life. What is going to be helpful is to find more adaptive ways to manage stress and anxiety and to self-soothe outside of the screen, such as breathing techniques, meditation, physical exercise, talking to other people about the things that are causing you anxiety, and so on.”

5.Advise children and pre-teens prepare for the change

Dr Einstein suggests that 12-to-15-year-olds download their favourite photos and contacts before accounts are deactivated, to make sure they don’t lose access to important memories or friends.

“There might be photos that have been shared with them that they haven’t saved to their device. Similarly, it’s time for them to actually get phone numbers from people who they like talking to online, who they do feel confident and comfortable with talking to.”
It’s an opportunity for them to reflect on their friendships, and whether the people they are communicating with are giving them good advice and support.

6.Encourage healthy device habits for the whole family

Parents can lead by example, Dr Einstein says, noting that children and teens often copy their parents actions, rather than listening to their words.

Technoference, as she calls it, is when “parents are so consumed with their devices that they’re not noticing their teen’s bid for their attention.”

“If we can recognise the addictive pull of devices, we can actually put small new habits in place around the home and that might mean, for example, for a parent not to have their computer in the kitchen or it might mean that at the dinner table there are no phones at all.”

Professor Warburton agrees good role modelling is important.

“Maybe it’s actually a way for parents to revisit their own use of digital technology,” he notes.

7.Support real-life social connections

Dr Einstein says that while online communication is easier for some kids, real-life interactions do more to boost mood and ease loneliness.

Social media research has shown that students who primarily communicate online don’t feel as good. “So their mood doesn’t lift as much and they stay lonely, whereas the real life experiences are a little harder for them, but the students, their mood improves more and they actually feel better,” Dr Einstein says.

For those who struggle, she recommends practising with short conversations to boost their confidence.

8.Don’t panic if teens find workarounds

Parents need to accept that teens may find ways around restrictions, and it’s essential to maintain rapport with them regardless.

“It is important for parents not to overreact and just to be accepting that their teenager is of an age where they can actually work around their parents on most things, especially technology things,” Dr Einstein says.

In this case, parents could suggest they access social media on one device in one place in the house to reduce susceptibility to its addictive pull.

9.Watch for red flags

Professor Warburton says young people with disordered social media use will struggle most with the changes.

GPs should look out for psychological withdrawal symptoms associated with behavioural addictions, such as agitation, anger, anxiety or upset when social media is removed.

“Other indicators of problematic use include still thinking about social media all the time, lying about how much time they have spent on it, or still being determined or driven to continue use even though they know it’s had an adverse effect on their mental and/or physical health, or on schooling oir relationships.”

Eye problems, musculoskeletal issues, RSI and health issues related to sedentary lifestyle have also been linked to problematic use, he says.

He recommends referring people with any of these symptoms to a psychologist, ideally one with expertise in behavioural addictions.
 

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has been less supportive of the policy, saying that “sudden disconnection from digital social spaces could trigger feelings of isolation and anxiety, particularly among teens who rely on social media for connection and self-expression.”

“Social media also offers vital connection for children who experience stigma or marginalisation in their community, such as those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent children. For these people, online communities are often sources of support and validation,” APS CEO Dr Zena Burgess says.

She urges parents and others who work with young people to openly speak with them about their feelings regarding the changes.

The APS acknowledges that social media can have both positive and negative impacts on wellbeing. “Excessive use may contribute to stress, social comparison, and difficulty fostering offline relationships. However, social media can also serve as a key avenue for social connection, especially for young people in rural or isolated communities,” the APS said in its November statement.