Hasty Briefsbeta

Australian teens were kicked off social media this week. Some are back already

2 days ago
  • #Australia
  • #teenagers
  • #social-media-ban
  • Australia implemented a ban on social media for under-16s, targeting platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram.
  • Teenagers quickly found ways to bypass the ban, such as creating new accounts with parental help or using AI-generated images.
  • Critics argue the ban is ineffective, as many under-16s continue accessing social media without significant obstacles.
  • Parents of cyberbullying victims and campaigners supported the ban, advocating for safer online environments for children.
  • Some teenagers admitted to falsifying birthdates during account creation to avoid restrictions.
  • Entrepreneurs and young business owners expressed concerns over the ban's impact on their ventures and online communities.
  • Legal challenges against the ban have been filed, citing privacy and freedom of expression issues.
  • Teenagers shared mixed reactions, with some relieved their accounts remained active and others anxious about potential future restrictions.
  • Alternative apps like Yope and Coverstar gained attention as potential substitutes for banned platforms.
  • Many teens believe time limits on social media usage would be more effective than an outright ban.