Australia’s under-16s social media ban is now in place. With school holidays starting this week, we wanted to understand what kids think they’ll do now that social media is off-limits.
As part of Australia’s Under-16s Social Media Ban Report 2025, we asked 8-15-year-olds what they expect will change for them once the ban takes effect.
Kids expect more offline time – but not a total disconnect
What they told us suggests it’s not as simple as “less screen time”. Yes, some kids expect to spend more time offline. In fact, 37% say they’ll spend more time with friends, playing sports, or being outdoors – like going outside to play or heading over to a friend’s house.
Screen time doesn’t disappear; it moves
32% say they’ll replace social media with other online activities, like playing video games or watching TV and movies. 21% of kids also pointed to online gaming as a way to keep communicating with friends – showing that connection doesn’t disappear – it just shifts platforms.
Boredom, complaints, and finding alternatives
We also heard some honest reactions about how the ban might feel day-to-day. 17% say they’ll be bored (or complain to their parents about being bored), while others expect they’ll find alternatives – like “finding other apps”.
Workarounds are already on kids’ minds
Workarounds are also on some kids’ radar, saying they’ll try to get around restrictions by using a VPN, finding other apps, or accessing a parent’s account.
This highlights a practical reality: the impact of the ban will depend not just on intent, but on enforcement, access, and how families and platforms respond.
Together, these responses point to a clear “displacement effect.” Rather than eliminating digital time, the ban is likely to redistribute it across other platforms and activities – reinforcing the importance of meaningfully educating young people, rather than simply expecting compliance.
These insights and direct quotes from children aged 8-15 are from a Pureprofile Australia survey (November 2025, N=820). To explore the full report, download Australia’s Under-16s Social Media Ban Report 2025 here >
Here’s what children aged 8-15 told us, in their own words:
