As a mother of two, Jane Dutton, watched the federal debate unfold over banning social media for under-16s, and then called for taking the plunge.

Instead of waiting for the ban to take effect in a year, she immediately closed her children’s social media accounts.

His first thought: “I shouldn’t have done it (social media allowed) in the first place.”

Like many parents, she felt pressure to allow her 12- and 13-year-old children to be present on social media.

But even with password access to their accounts and parental controls in place, she quickly felt like she had lost control.

“I gave them this tool that was so big, so broad and so powerful, that I said I would watch very closely, and then actually the work and other things were happening,” she said .

“I suddenly thought, ‘Well, I dropped the ball at one point.'”

She said that while there had never been “a major disaster,” she was increasingly concerned that her children didn’t really know the people they were friends with on social media and she s was concerned about inappropriate content on TikTok.

No more “constant buzzing in our house”

The debate in Federal Parliament over banning social media for under-16s was the trigger Ms Dutton needed to “rip the bandage off”.

She and her husband discussed with their children the possibility of immediately closing their social media apps.

“I said, ‘Let’s see how it goes, the first day will be the worst and a week later it will be easier,'” she said.

Ms Dutton said her children had it “pretty good” and she let all their friends know they were always reachable by text.

In fact, the transition for the family has been extremely positive.

“We really focused on the idea that it could be more relaxed for them,” Ms Dutton said.

“Also, these real friendships that they’ve been working on, which are physical, real, face-to-face, we now have the opportunity to focus on that…rather than the 800 that you kind of know, or on a friend of a friend.”

She also encouraged her kids to go “old school” and hold group text chats.

Ms Dutton shared her decision on her own social media account and said the response had been overwhelmingly positive.

“And then (sharing the decision) seemed like a really decisive and powerful step that we had taken as a family.

“The response and feedback was really positive: everyone was saying they wanted to do the same thing or had already done it.”

Ms Dutton said she understood her family’s decision was not for everyone and she recognized there were positive aspects to social media.

But for now, she’s enjoying the break.

Doubts about the effectiveness of the ban

Louis Rheinberger, 15, will escape the social media ban when it comes into effect in a year’s time, but thinks it’s a good idea for younger people.

“I know people have had it since 3rd grade and I feel like people have it so early and they’re so used to it that at that age they’re so drawn to it,” he declared.

But it’s not clear whether these bans will work.

“It’s a big step and I think it’s necessary, but a lot of people I know personally are just going to try to find a way around it,” he said.

“Take the time to do things right”

Yasmine London, director of online security company Qoria, said more time was needed to ensure the ban actually worked.

“I don’t think anyone disputes that social media needs to improve, that we really need to focus on protecting our children from the negative impacts that social media can have,” Ms. London said.

“But it’s really important that we take the time to get it right.”

She said overseas trials had shown young people could circumvent age-guarantee technologies.

“This will actually push the search for help underground.”

Ms London also fears the ban could lead to even greater isolation of some children.

“We have young LGBTIQ children who rely on it for their sense of community, we have neurodiverse young people who connect to communities through social media,” she said.

Banning predictions will be a “significant challenge”

Australian Psychological Society president Dr Sarah Quinn said social media was a big part of most teenagers’ lives, especially after the pandemic.

“My advice to young people… to manage the transition to this social media ban is to connect with the people that you are currently in contact with online, that you know very well, that you can actually interact with face-to-face. face when possible.

She said parents might feel a mix of relief and worry about the impact of the ban on their children.

“We need to understand what needs their social media use is meeting, whether it’s relationship needs, mental health needs, or information gathering needs,” she said.

“Working with your teen is the best way to find out through honest and open communication.”

She called on the federal government to fund more mental health support for young people.