DISABILITY advocates are warning that the Federal Government’s upcoming social media ban for teenagers may unintentionally deepen isolation for young Australians with disability, cutting them off from crucial avenues of connection and support.
The restrictions, set to begin on December 10, were introduced under the Online Safety Amendment passed with bipartisan support last November.
The law will block social media access for 13 to 17-year-olds – a move the Government argues is necessary to protect young people from online harm.
E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the measure was “not an internet ban”, noting that messaging apps and online gaming would remain available.
“This is really a social media delay for those between the ages of 13 and 17,” she said.
But organisations such as Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) say the policy risks sidelining young people who already face substantial barriers to social inclusion. For many, social media is far more than entertainment – it is a lifeline.
Seventeen-year-old Realle Northe, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disorder, says online spaces often provide the connection she can’t always access in person.
“Social media for me is a place where I can talk with my friends,” she said.
“It’s a space where I feel understood and supported.”
Although Ms Northe is just above the restricted age range, she worries about the impact on younger teens.
“Many of us rely on social media to stay in touch, learn, and find community,” she said.
“Taking that away will further isolate those who already find it difficult to get out of the house or connect with others in person.”
Evidence shows why those concerns matter.
The E-Safety Commissioner’s 2023 New Playground report found that 70 per cent of young people with disability felt it was easier to be themselves online, compared with 59 per cent of their non-disabled peers – highlighting the digital world’s importance for identity and belonging.
CYDA CEO Skye Kakoschke-Moore said the ban could widen the digital divide.
“The upcoming restrictions risk severing this vital lifeline for under-16s, but also for young people with disability over 16 who could be unfairly blocked from social media if age-checking systems aren’t accessible,” she said.
She said accessibility must be embedded in the rollout.
“Making social media safer should never come at the cost of genuine inclusion,” she said. “It allows teens to explore their identity and gain knowledge from real experiences. Without it, many won’t have the same opportunity to form meaningful connections.”
