Why We Can't "Block and Move On"

How Australia's Social Media Ban Affects Teen Girls

Last week, the Australian federal government announced its proposal to ban under-16s from accessing social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat due to concerns over social media's perceived harm to young people's mental health. With studies showing that 1 in 5 teenage girls experience eating disorders, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, there's undoubtedly an important conversation to be had about young people's experiences on social media, especially young girls. However, an outright ban removes those most affected from the conversation, stripping them of their agency to develop their own positive relationships with social media.

Data and research from experts in the field have raised concerns about how a social media ban could negatively impact young girls' wellbeing longterm. According to a 23-question survey conducted by PROJECT ROCKIT's National Youth Collective—a group of 32 young Australians aged 12-20—86% of respondents reported positive experiences with social media. Young people described meaningful benefits, including friendship and connection, skill development, joy, and access to news and information. While challenges like cyberbullying and unhealthy body image comparisons exist, banning access isn't the solution—education and empowerment are.

At The Flourish Journey, we've always believed that supporting teenage girls means empowering them to be active participants in shaping their digital experiences. Setting age restrictions dismisses their agency and only addresses surface-level symptoms. Simply delaying access doesn't prepare teenagers for the inevitable—they will eventually join these platforms, and when they do, they need to be ready to do so safely and responsibly.

What we need instead is a comprehensive educational approach both in formal school settings and at home that focuses on clear, actionable changes such as:

1. Teach critical evaluation of online content, helping girls distinguish between what's real and what's edited
2. Build digital literacy so they understand algorithms and can spot misinformation
3. Develop awareness of the implications of online interactions
4. Highlight both the challenges and opportunities social media presents

Parents, educators, platforms like META, and young teens must all be involved in these open conversations if we want to safely and responsibly prepare young girls for the digital age.

Most importantly, this education should empower rather than frighten. While acknowledging potential dangers, we must emphasise social media's capacity for connection, learning, and growth. By equipping girls with knowledge and critical thinking skills, we enable them to use social media in ways that enhance rather than diminish their wellbeing.

The path forward requires evolving beyond simple restrictions to embrace education and empowerment. We must listen to teenage girls' voices and include them in shaping their digital spaces. They need the tools for safe navigation, but more importantly, they need us to trust in their capacity to learn and grow. These young women are the experts of their own experience—we should treat them as such.

This approach isn't just about protecting young people—it's about empowering them to thrive in the digital age. By supporting teenage girls with education rather than restrictions, we can create more meaningful, effective, and sustainable outcomes for everyone involved.

After all, these platforms aren't going away. Instead of removing young people from the digital conversation, let's trust in their ability to participate in it wisely and confidently when given the right support and education.