"See You on the Other Side": Australian Teens Bid Emotional Farewell as World-First Social Media Ban Kicks In
CREDIT: REUTERS
Australian teenagers have taken to social media for one final, emotional farewell to their followers, mourning the loss of the digital platforms that shaped their formative years. As of Wednesday, a world-first ban has taken effect, barring children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media sites.
In the hours leading up to the midnight deadline on Tuesday, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit were flooded with goodbye messages from teens—and adults alike—marking the end of an era for Australia's digital natives.
The Ban: 10 Platforms, Millions Blocked
The Australian government has ordered 10 major platforms, including TikTok, Alphabet's YouTube, and Meta's Instagram and Facebook, to block approximately one million users under the age of 16. Failure to comply could result in massive fines for the tech giants.
The crackdown has been swift. According to government officials, some 200,000 accounts have already been deactivated on TikTok alone, with "hundreds of thousands" more expected to be blocked in the coming days.
"I Will Be Completely Alone"
For young Australians who have grown up online, the ban has triggered a mix of sadness, humor, and disbelief. Many spent their final hours posting edits of their favorite memes or heartfelt messages to friends they might lose contact with.
"I’m going to miss you guys," posted Melbourne creator Josh Partington, known for his comedy sketches about Australian life, to his 75,000 TikTok followers.
Another user wrote, "I’m going to miss you so much and especially the funny content. See you in a few years, but I don't know if my account will still be standing."
On Reddit, the mood was equally somber. In the popular subreddit r/teenagers, users shared their devastation. "As an autistic 13-year-old, I am devastated," one post read. "My playlist of 1,400+ songs on YouTube will be deleted and Reddit too, I have zero friends ... I will be completely alone for the next three years until I am 16."
Some users stayed online until the clock struck midnight, posting countdown clips set to Adele's Skyfall, quoting the ominous lyric, "this is the end."
The Search for Alternatives
As the ban loomed, a digital migration began. Many teenagers urged their followers to join alternative platforms such as Yope, Lemon8, and Coverstar, which are not yet covered by the new legislation. "Goodbye, see you on the other side," became a common refrain as users scrambled to secure their digital connections elsewhere.
Political Backlash
Frustration over the ban has spilled over into the political arena. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose center-left government championed the law, has faced the ire of young constituents. Since Tuesday, Albanese has reportedly lost 6,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram.
"Just wait until we’re able to vote," one disgruntled user commented on the Prime Minister's TikTok account, signaling potential future political fallout from this generation.
A Mixed Reception
However, not all teenagers were opposed to the digital curfew. Some acknowledged the potential benefits of disconnecting. "Ngl (not going to lie), social media ban is probably for the best of us," admitted one TikTok user. "All we do is sit behind a screen for hours."
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
Australia's bold experiment is now live, and the world is watching. While the government aims to protect mental health, the immediate result is a generation feeling disconnected and unheard. Whether this leads to a healthier childhood or simply drives youth to darker, unregulated corners of the internet remains to be seen.
