‘Will I Still Be Able to Call My Mum?’ Teens Confused about Social Media Ban

Teens remain confused about the social media ban, including a 14-year-old who recently asked Butterfly Foundation if he would still be able to call his mum after the ban. Experts urge parents to stay vigilant in the face of new age restrictions for under 16s, with a continued need to strengthen safeguards, clean up harmful content and build digital literacy skills.

Butterfly Foundation, Australia’s national charity for eating disorders and body image concerns, is urging parents and educators to support young people to navigate the social media ban, and not expect it to be the silver bullet to end all online harms.

While this is an important opportunity to build digital literacy and critical thinking skills which young people will need now and in the future, many are confused about what the ban will mean for them and their friendships, said Butterfly’s Director of Education Initiatives, Danni Rowlands.

“When we’ve been delivering our education and prevention programs in secondary schools, we’ve heard a range of questions from young people about the ban – from ‘will I get fined if I’m on social media?’ to ‘why are we the ones being punished?’ and from one distressed year 8 boy, ‘will I still be able to call my mum?’”

“It is clear young people need support with social media and navigating these changes. Butterfly’s BodyKind Youth Survey found that over half of young people aged 12-18 said social media made them feel dissatisfied with their body,” Danni said.

“Delaying access is one step aimed to protect young people, but while it doesn’t remove the problem – harmful content will still be visible once 16-year-olds regain access. As young people’s social media world goes quiet for now, we must take the opportunity to give them protective skills that will last a lifetime.”

Digital literacy and online safety more important than ever

Despite the social media age restrictions, young people will continue to encounter powerful messages about bodies, health, fitness and food through peers, families, advertising, entertainment, and other online spaces. Many will still access video-sharing sites, watch influencer content without accounts, or participate in private group chats where comparison and body talk may be even more personal and intense. Some young people may have no changes to how they access social media, but use social media in a more secretive way.

Butterfly Head of Prevention Helen Bird said the impacts from the ban on the wellbeing of young people remain unclear, and parents should be aware of warning signs that their children are struggling with their mental health.

“This ban is likely to leave some young people feeling uncertain and anxious as their usual routines and habits disappear overnight. It’s important for adults to stay open and curious as to how young people are feeling and being impacted – communication is key,” she said.

“Additionally, disordered eating behaviours may emerge as young people attempt to cope with difficult emotions or regain a sense of control in their lives. Parents, carers and educators must remain vigilant to the signs of disordered eating and body dissatisfaction and intervene early.”

Parents and carers can also play a key role by advocating for their children to receive access to relevant education that prepares them for the online world.

“Young people need our support to navigate appearance-based content, beauty, body and health ideals, teasing, AI, misinformation, algorithms, and online safety features,” Danni said.

“These are all concepts that are relevant and important to address in our digital world, with or without access to social media. But it can be difficult for parents to know where to begin, especially if they are still learning to navigate this themselves.”

Butterfly’s new eLearning program BodyKind Online Education for secondary age students has been designed to address these factors, and an independent pilot evaluation showed positive impacts for young people in relation to media literacy skills and self-compassion.

“We’re encouraging families to recommend BodyKind Online Education to their child’s school, and to access the free parent and carer resources included in the program to help them navigate this unprecedented time with their teens, and also to support safer social media and online safety use, longer term,” Danni said.

Students in years 7 and 8 who have completed the program said, “it made me feel better about myself”, “I liked how it incorporated may different aspects of body image and “[it taught me] to never compare myself [to others]”.

To find out more about BodyKind Online Education, head to https://butterfly.org.au/school-youth-professionals/for-schools/body-kind-online-education/

TIPS FOR PARENTS ON NAVIGATING THE SOCIAL MEDIA BAN WITH THEIR TEENS

• Explain the restrictions to young people early to help them prepare – visit https://butterfly.org.au/social-media-ban/ for more information
• Know the accounts and pages your teen follows and who is influencing their fashion, eating, training and other behaviours.
• Acknowledge and validate their feelings – Avoid the “you’ll be alright” or “it’s for your own good.”
• If they are struggling to adjust to the changes, identify what coping strategies they are using. If these are not positive ones, don’t be afraid to reach out for professional support.
• Be a positive role model when it comes to your own social media use – put limits on your own apps and focus on in-person connection with young people. Everyone can do with more time offline.
• Remember that while social media is a significant influence on young people’s body image, it isn’t the only one. Young people will continue to encounter harmful messages in other online environments – and building their digital literacy skills through programs like BodyKind Online Education will help them navigate this content wherever they encounter it.

Butterfly is currently running a Christmas appeal campaign, ‘Kids are growing up online’, highlighting the impact of social media on young people. Visit https://protect-kids.butterfly.org.au  for more information or to donate to help to get BodyKind Online Education into every teenager’s school.

-ENDS-

Media Contact:

Zoe Bradbury – Communications Manager, Butterfly Foundation

E: zoe.bradbury@butterfly.org.au

Media spokespeople:

Danni Rowlands, Director of Education Initiatives, Butterfly Foundation

Helen Bird, Head of Prevention, Butterfly Foundation

Lived experience case studies available on request

About Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. Butterfly changes lives by providing innovative, evidence-based support services, treatment and resources, prevention and early intervention programs, and by advocating for the needs of our community.

About BodyKind Online Education

BodyKind Online Education fills an important gap as the first evidence-informed, strength based, digital eLearning program developed specifically for Australian secondary schools that supports body image and online safety for young people, aged 12-16.

With two programs – one for students in Years 7 and 8, and one for students in Year 9 and 10- BodyKind Online Education helps young people navigate appearance-based content and teasing, AI, misinformation, algorithms, online safety features, and beauty, body and health ideals.

About the pilot evaluation of Body Kind Online Education

Conducted by researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast, the pilot evaluation of BodyKind Online Education involved nearly 500 students across four secondary schools in Victoria and Tasmania and showed statistically significant improvements in social media literacy, related to the critical assessment of appearance-focused media messages, and self-compassion, as well as improvements in social media behaviours and aspects of help-seeking.  

Editor and producers note: 

Please include the following support line details in all media coverage of this story and refer to the Mindframe Media Guidelines for safe reporting on eating disorders. Please include the following helpline message.

Help and Support 

Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact:

• Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or visit butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT).
• Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23
• For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14