In Australia, a new law now limits access to social media for people under the age of 16. Since December 10th, many teenagers have started their day without platforms like TikTok or Instagram. The government says the ban is working well, with millions of accounts suspended. However, many young people say the ban has not really changed their habits, because most teens have found ways to get around it.
Alby, a 14-year-old entrepreneur from New South Wales, uses social media to create apps and promote his projects. He feels the ban is unfair because it blocks everyone, even young people who use social media in a positive way. Wren, who is almost 16, explains that the ban made it harder to stay connected with her friends and online communities. These communities are important to her because she has ADHD, autism, and chronic fatigue. Still, she also enjoyed spending less time on her phone and more time on hobbies like art.
Another teen, Ilya, decided to delete all social media. He feels more relaxed but finds it harder to stay in touch with family in Ukraine. Overall, young Australians have mixed feelings. The government says it will take time to understand the real impact of the ban on sleep, mental health, and social life.
Vocabulary:
• ban (noun): an official rule that stops something
• account (noun): a personal profile on a website or app
• suspended (adj): temporarily stopped
• get around (phrasal verb): find a way to avoid a rule
• facial ID (noun): technology that uses your face to identify you
• entrepreneur (noun): a person who starts a business
• community (noun): a group of people with shared interests
• challenging (adj): difficult but interesting
• safety features (noun): tools that protect users online
• impact (noun): the effect something has on people or situations