‘Distressed’ teens turn to Kids Helpline following social media ban, saying they’ve lost support networks

Suicidal, “highly distressed”, disabled and isolated teens have been among those to call crisis service Kids Helpline in the wake of Australia’s social media ban for under 16s.

But it’s not just teens who are seeking support, concerned parents dealing with “increased conflict, meltdowns, distress, regressive behaviours” at home are also contacting the service.

Service manager Leo Hede said in the first three transitioning weeks after the ban came into effect on December 10, Kids Helpline counsellors had received almost 100 contacts explicitly concerned about the ban.

“One young person had cited that they had used online tools and social media as a way to manage urges for self-harm and were concerned about not having that access to a tool,” he said.

“Some shared feeling like they’d be cut off from their support networks, and were distressed about losing long-term digital friendships.

“One parent reported there had been an emotional shutdown. Their kids are hiding the devices. Some are refusing to engage with the family.

“Other families and parents have reported the escalating arguments at home increased conflict.

“So, there’s a whole, quite a range of complex issues going on after the ban.”

Mr Hede said the highest emotional distress came from help seekers aged between 10 and 14, with females and neurodivergent children where disproportionately more affected.

He said children with mental issues and learning difficulties, who found connection within communities online, cited an increased level of distress.

“An interesting one was a 12-year-old sharing that they saw YouTube, in particular, as really crucial for their learning and not feeling alone. They were a young person with bullying issues and an autism diagnosis,” Mr Hede said.

I really feel for parents having to enforce it as well, because, there’s science around the dopamine hits that they get with being online.

“Multiple calls describe scrolling at night due to loneliness and that often that online space for them was a tool they used to distract them from stress, manage anxiety and escalations of emotion.

“Another one, a 13-year-old, shared that they felt they weren’t able to message friends and worried that they’d lose everyone when they were transitioning to high school.”

The ban includes 10 platforms – YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok, Twitch, Snapchat, Reddit, and Kick.

Communications Minister Anika Wells is expected to share how many accounts have been deactivated later this week, based on data provided by the included platforms.

The data sharing is part of a requirement by the eSafety Commission and will continue in the first six months of the ban to assess compliance and the ban’s effectiveness.

Already children have revealed they either weren’t caught by age assessment technology deployed by the apps or were able to circumnavigate the ban through deception.

An eSafety spokeswoman said the regulator was “pleased” with how the platforms were compiling with their data requests.

“eSafety is pleased that all platforms (which) receive(d) an information gathering notice after the law came into effect have been cooperative and responded as required,” she said.

Flinders University social media expert Dr Lisa Harrison said grappling with the changes could have been a distressing time for parents over the school holidays

“I really feel for parents having to enforce it as well, because, there’s science around the dopamine hits that they get with being online,” she said.

“They would have been engaging and communicating with their networks, and then all of a sudden that’s taken away from them.

“So, knowing how to manage those feelings and challenges would have been all new to parents as well. They’ve got the hardest position when it comes to embracing the ban.”

The Albanese Government’ next focus will be enacting a Digital Duty of Care, which would force the online industry to take stronger action to keep users safe.

A consultation survey for the Digital Duty of Care consultation survey closed in December.

It received more than 1300 responses, which are being assessed by the department to help shape the reform design.

eSafety urged any children and families who need further support and information to access their social media age restrictions hub.

LIFELINE 13 11 14

BEYOND BLUE 1300 22 4636