Weekly Update: Managing mental health impacts of the social media delay

In just five weeks the Australian Government’s social media age restrictions will come into effect.  

From 10 December, people in Australia will have to be 16 years or older to have a social media account, in a change described by the eSafety Commissioner as being intended “for the good of their wellbeing”.  

From the early discussions about a social media delay, the mental health sector has pointed to the complex relationship that exists between social media and young peoples’ wellbeing. While there are clear harms, there are also benefits – including connections to friends, online communities and to mental health supports.  

A couple of weeks ago I attended a roundtable convened by the Minister for Communications, the Hon Anika Wells MP, along with the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Hon Emma McBride MP, and the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, to discuss the upcoming delay and its impacts on young people, their families and mental health supports and services.  

Many in the sector have been preparing for the social media delay, by developing information, resources and supports tailored to the needs of young people losing access to social media accounts.  

For some time, the sector has been proposing solutions to mitigate potential mental health impacts of the social media age restrictions, and ensure young people continue to have pathways to credible online mental health supports they may previously have engaged with through social media.  

Young people and mental health providers have also been pointing to the need for broader changes to address the wellbeing risks of social media, including a Safety by Design approach enforced through social media regulation. We look forward to the Australian Governments’ promised Digital Duty of Care to progress this. 

Truthfully, no-one knows what the full impacts of this significant societal change will be. Social media companies are still scrambling to implement changes with just a month to go, and other countries are watching closely to see how this reform plays out. 

We need good data and insights to understand the impacts, and to monitor and respond to any changes in young people’s mental health needs and how they reach out for support.  

Mental Health Australia is calling for the Australian Government to monitor the demand for child and youth mental health services, including changes in how young people reach out, and boost supports as needed. We also need investment in research now to monitor potential changes in young people’s wellbeing, online behaviour, social connections and support-seeking.  

Ahead of the 10 December commencement date, the Australian Government has released resources to support young people, families and educators understand and prepare for the change. These resources are available through the social media age restrictions hub hosted by the eSafety Commissioner, and include a Get-ready guide with prompts to explore other ways to connect, protect digital memories and find mental health support as needed.  

As Australia embarks on this significant change, our hope is to work with the sector and the Australian Government, to show the world how to holistically support young people’s mental health and wellbeing – online, and through families, schools, communities and support services.  

Carolyn Nikoloski, CEO

Mental Health Australia