Australian teenagers are quietly abandoning major social media platforms and flocking to lesser-known apps as the countdown begins to the nation’s groundbreaking social media age ban, which takes effect in just 10 days.
Apps like Yope and Lemon8 have skyrocketed up the download charts as under-16s scramble to find a new online home before the December 10 deadline.
However, under the new eSafety rules, any app that is mainly about sharing posts, pictures and videos still counts as social media and must block under-16s, regardless of how small or new the platform is.
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The looming ban has raised significant concerns about age verification technology, with every platform now required to distinguish between children and adults.
Experts are warning families to brace for scammers who may exploit the confusion by copying legitimate “prove your age” prompts.
Families should expect fake texts, emails and pop-ups that appear legitimate but are designed to steal IDs, logins and personal details.
7NEWS Tech Editor Shaun White said the shift in app usage has already become apparent in recent days, as teenagers prepare for the unprecedented restrictions.
Adding to the urgency, Meta has announced it will begin early implementation this Thursday, starting to shut down Instagram, Facebook and Threads accounts belonging to teens under 16.
Psychologists are advising parents to prepare for potential backlash from their children during the transition period, warning that teenagers may experience anxiety, stress or anger as they lose access to their digital social networks.
The social media age ban represents one of the world’s strictest approaches to protecting children online, with Australia leading the charge in restricting access to major platforms for minors.
