In November 2024, Australia became the first country to ban social media use for children under 16, and this world-first law has sparked widespread debate. Psychiatrist Dr Alice Chang highlights the heightened vulnerability of developing adolescent brains to online feedback, impulsivity, and addiction. She warns of risks including mental health decline, disrupted sleep, poor academic performance, and the permanence of digital footprints. While acknowledging concerns about a potential “taboo effect,” Dr Chang argues that strong boundaries can help parents and educators foster real-world communication skills, limit harmful platform practices, and support healthier social development for young people in an increasingly digital and connected world.

Among the experts weighing on this bold and controversial law is Dr Alice Chang, a Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, who offers a compelling perspective on social media’s neurobiological and psychological impacts on young people.

The Developing Adolescent Brain
Dr Chang emphasises that the brains of young individuals, especially those under 18, are still maturing, she says, “your brain doesn’t actually fully develop until you’re in your mid to late 20s.” This developmental stage makes adolescents particularly vulnerable to the influence of social media, which can have profound consequences on their mental and emotional wellbeing. Dr Chang continues, “the brain is not fully developed at this age, and young people are especially sensitive to social feedback”. Social media platforms, which thrive on likes, comments, and online engagement, exploit this sensitivity, potentially harming self-perception.

The Dangers of Social Media on an Immature Brain
Dr Chang explains, “I feel that social media in itself is a very dangerous kind of tool and your brain is not going to have the ability to judge, think, and process all of these things. It’s going to take everything as the truth because that’s what happens with other human beings. You’re incredibly impulsive, and you haven’t fully developed the cognitive capacity or executive function to say, ‘Should I really analyse this? Should I take it at face value, or should I talk to someone to help me sort this out?’” This risk is exacerbated for those who already struggle with pre-existing mental health challenges. She notes, “if they already have pre-existing learning disorders, depression, or anxiety, or if they are stressed at school and don’t feel good about themselves, social media can be very easily weaponised.”

The online space often amplifies negative comments, and since users are not always held accountable for their words, it creates an uncensored environment of thoughtless cruelty. Dr Chang explains, “many social media platforms, such as TikTok, are designed like TV shows with engaging lights, colours, and quick sound bites. This sensory overload is naturally appealing to the brain and directly influences thoughts and emotions as if these interactions were with real people rather than digital content.”

Social Media Addiction: A Growing Epidemic
Dr Chang compares social media addiction to other forms of addiction, like gaming or even substance abuse, saying, “Social media addiction is pervasive because it’s so accessible, and for young people, it becomes a central part of their social lives.” This addiction isn’t just about time spent online but also its consequences. And she warns, “we see both addiction and harmful impacts. Social media addiction disrupts sleep, affects school performance, and can cause family conflicts. On the extreme end, relentless online bullying can lead to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and even eating disorders.” However, she believes that public policy plays a crucial role in setting boundaries, making it easier for parents, schools, and educators to reinforce healthy limits. She says, “it’s about creating a framework where technology doesn’t replace the real-world skills children need to develop.”

The problem is particularly troubling in smaller communities, where rumours and bullying can spread rapidly. “In small towns, there’s no escape. Changing schools doesn’t offer a fresh start – the digital footprint follows you,” she points out. Social media doesn’t just stay within school walls. “Kids can develop real mental health issues from being relentlessly bullied online. It follows you everywhere.”

The Paradox of Banning Social Media
Dr Chang acknowledges the potential risks of enforcing such a ban. She warns that restricting access to social media could have a “taboo effect,” making it more alluring to young people. She says, “the more you try to stop it, the more it becomes seductive.”

The Lasting Impact of Social Media
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of social media is its permanence. Once something is posted, whether a picture, comment, or post, it can never truly disappear, even if deleted. Dr Chang raises a crucial point: these digital traces could resurface later in life, potentially damaging a person’s reputation or career. She asks, “what happens when these negative posts come up during a background check for a job?” The idea that past mistakes made in adolescence could haunt someone forever is one of the most troubling consequences of our digitally connected world.

Setting Boundaries for Healthy Development
Dr Chang believes that society needs to set boundaries around social media usage, much like how parents establish rules for their children. She says, “you can’t force social media onto everyone just because it’s available. There has to be a line.” She also stresses the importance of face-to-face communication. “Humans have evolved to communicate in person, and this is a skill young people need to develop. They need to learn how to make eye contact, read social cues, and handle both positive and negative interactions. If we push too much digital communication, we risk stunting their social development.”

Dr Chang also highlights the rise of social anxiety, citing trends in countries like Japan, where increasing isolation has led to a generation of young people avoiding in-person interactions altogether. “We don’t want our young people to grow up like that. It’s unhealthy,” she warns. “We need to help them face their fears and develop the social skills they need to thrive in the real world.”

Cleaning Up the Digital Landscape
Dr Chang hopes that a social media ban could help “clean things up a bit,” reducing the proliferation of harmful online platforms. She explains that these platforms thrive primarily because of their profit-driven models. “If there is no advertising and no revenue, there’s less incentive for platforms to proliferate in harmful ways. We’re going to clamp down on exploitative practices. It’s not going to eliminate the problem entirely, but it does contribute to social responsibility.”

She warns, however, that social media will continue evolving. “It’s only going to be something that is a bit like a virus, changing its shape and becoming more interesting so that people will grab onto it.”

August 2025
Dr Alice Chang, Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist

This article is supplied by Red Health
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