Australia's social media ban on teenagers under 16 could help tackle growing mental health crisis

I feel like I’ve finally escaped this toxic mindset. Not completely, but enough that I could see how ridiculous the steps I took to avoid my face were and write about it.

It makes me sad to think about how much time I wasted worrying about something that really shouldn't matter. It makes me angry to think about how much anxiety and worry I felt that could have been avoided if I had stopped scrolling and scrolling…and scrolling.

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But I've also had great experiences with it. When I was 13, social media gave me the opportunity to create an art account, which helped me think about turning my passion into a career. I shared my sewing projects and watercolors, and the positive feedback kept me motivated and excited.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, social media initially served as a motivator for me. I was scrolling through posts from people my age who were starting influencer careers or turning their hobbies into viable careers, and I felt inspired to do the same. My cousin, a friend and I created a group account and through Instagram we came up with the idea of ​​selling our work at a local market. My mother is now a full-time painter, which she was only able to achieve thanks to social media.

Without Instagram, many aspiring artists and professionals wouldn't have the exposure they need to break into difficult fields. Social media offers young people opportunities that traditional avenues simply cannot provide. However, while this provides these opportunities, it also creates pressure to succeed and demonstrate success, which can be overwhelming.

When I first heard the discussion about raising the social media age limit to 16 in Australia, I felt envious. I envied the next generation, who would have the chance to experience a healthier, more mentally enriching adolescence, potentially free from the pressures I endured.

It may be unrealistic to believe that setting an age limit will actually prevent children under 16 from using social media. But at the very least, it would encourage parents and children to take the risks more seriously.

The influence of social media extends beyond the screen, subtly but significantly changing the way we live and perceive ourselves. A ban would not mean removing something but giving the next generation a chance to lead a more authentic and balanced life.

Children's helpline: 1800 551 800

Lucia Frazzetto is a first-year university student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in psychology and aspiring to a future in social work.

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