Everyone will miss the socialising but it's also a relief': five young teens on Australia's social media ban

"Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s will begin in just a few days. Malaysia, Denmark and Norway are to follow suit and the European Union last week passed a resolution to adopt similar restrictions. As the world watches on, millions of Australian adolescents and their parents are wondering just what will actually change come 10 December."

"Concerns around the negative impact social media use can have on the wellbeing of young people have been around since the quaint days of Myspace long before those to be affected by the ban were even born. Supporters of the social media delay policy believe that restricting under-16s access will reduce mental health risks, exposure to harmful content and the social malaise associated with being chronically online. Those opposed worry that the legislation is ill-conceived, will push children into murkier corners of the web, impinge on their human rights, exacerbate some mental health conditions or simply prove futile."

"As the world waits to see just how this grand experiment will play out, the Guardian spoke to teenagers about their feelings as the ban approaches. All five are on the youth advisory board of the Australian Theatre for Young People, which will next month host a production of The Censor, which canvasses issues of teen social media use, literacy and adult censorship of their lives. From indifference to frustration or simply being confounded by the choices being made by the adults in the room, the perennial teen question remains: What's the big deal?"

Australia will start a world-first law delaying social media access for under-16s from 10 December. Malaysia, Denmark, Norway and the European Union have signalled or passed similar measures. Supporters argue that delaying access will reduce mental health risks, exposure to harmful content and the social malaise of chronic online use. Opponents warn the law could be ill-conceived, push children into darker corners of the web, impinge on human rights, exacerbate some mental health conditions or be ineffective. Five teenagers on the Australian Theatre for Young People youth advisory board express mixed reactions from indifference to frustration. A production titled The Censor will explore teen social media use, literacy and adult censorship. Some teens describe the policy as deeply unfair and say removing social media removes a major avenue for self-discovery and belonging.

Read at www.theguardian.com