“Why are they not trusting us?” Australia teens react to new social media ban

Australia has become the first country to block social media access for everyone under 16, ordering platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat to shut down about a million youth accounts. But teenagers in Sydney say the rollout felt sudden and unfair, arguing the government doesn’t trust them despite being old enough to work or get learner permits. Many expect the ban to have limited impact, predicting teens will simply switch apps or find workarounds to stay connected. Their reactions come as other countries consider copying Australia’s model, making teen sentiment a key part of the global debate over online safety.