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

Sarai Ades, 14, is opposed to the Australia’s under-16s social media ban, which will begin on 10 December. Photograph: Joel Pratley/The Guardian

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.