This is an opinion piece written by Laetitia Thompson, Digital Content Officer at Centre for Accessibility Australia.
The Australian government is set to introduce a ban on social media for children under 16, with the policy taking effect today on December 10. The ban, which has been passed with bipartisan support, will require social media platforms to verify users’ ages and block access to those under 16. The platforms affected include major players like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, which will be required to implement age-checking systems to ensure compliance.
As an elder millennial, I’ve learned to just own that I’m on Facebook. “Why are you even still on Facebook?” I’m always asked by my Gen Z coworker. Look, we both know I’m not cool enough to have an Instagram following. But the truth is, social media has been a lifeline for me, and for many others with disability, it’s a vital connection to the world.
With all the discourse on online dangers, I do ask that people reflect on what this policy could mean for teens with disability who rely on social media for connection and community.
The government argues the ban is necessary to protect young people from online harm, but it’s sparking concerns among disability advocates who fear it will isolate young people with disability and strip them of a vital lifeline.
As an amputee who grew up in the 90s, I know firsthand the isolation that comes with being a teenager with a disability. But I also know the power of connection, and how social media has been a lifeline for me and countless others.
I’m writing as someone who’s been part of online communities for over 20 years, forming friendships that have enriched my life in ways I never thought possible. I could never do sport, I could never physically do the things that other people my age were doing, so I was socially isolated a lot, and being able to make (safe) connections was what kept me… Well… Connected. There was no way back in the 90s I could have found a community of other teens with disability, in the Hills in Perth. We didn’t even have traffic lights.
Being online was my lifeline. From waiting for the final drop of a book series at midnight, to obsessing over TV series and coming up with better endings than the actual shows, to commiserating with fellow disability community members about our limited energy levels (“lack of spoons”). The normal type of socialising that other kids could do, who were able to participate fully socially. And I’m not alone. For many young people with disability, social media isn’t just a platform – it’s a vital connection to the world, a place to find understanding and acceptance.
That’s why I’m deeply concerned about the proposed ban on social media for children under 16. It’s a well-intentioned policy that risks stripping young people with disability of a fundamental lifeline.
Think about it. social media allows teens with disability to connect with others who understand their experiences, to explore their identities, and to access information and resources that might otherwise be out of reach. It’s a space where they can be themselves, without the barriers and stigma that often come with physical presence.
And let’s be real – for many young people with disability, social media is a key way to connect with other teens who share similar experiences. It’s a chance to form meaningful relationships, to find community, and to build resilience in a world that can be hostile and inaccessible. This is even more so for teens with disability out in rural communities.
I’m not naive to the risks of social media, but I believe we can address them without sacrificing the connections that matter most. We need to make social media safer, more accessible, and more inclusive – not shut it down.
As someone who’s lived with disability my whole life, I know the value of connection and community. Let’s not take that away from the next generation.