How does social media impacts young minds? What does the law mean for the future of children’s development?

In November 2024, the Australian government made a groundbreaking move by passing a world-first law banning children under 16 from using social media platforms. This bold and controversial decision has sparked widespread debate.

Among the experts weighing in 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.

“Your brain doesn’t actually fully develop until you’re in your mid to late 20s.”

Dr Alice Chang

This developmental stage makes adolescents particularly vulnerable to the influence of social media, which can have profound consequences on their mental and emotional well-being.

“The brain is not fully developed at this age, and young people are especially sensitive to social feedback,” Dr Chang continues. 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

“I feel that social media in itself is a very dangerous kind of tool.”

Dr Alice Chang

She explains, “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?’”

Dr Chang also highlights that “Young people can’t distinguish between healthy and harmful feedback. They take everything as the truth,”  

This risk is exacerbated for those who already struggle with pre-existing mental health challenges. “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,” she notes.

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. “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,” she explains.

Social Media Addiction: A Growing Epidemic

Dr Chang compares social media addiction to other forms of addiction, like gaming or even substance abuse. “Social media addiction is pervasive because it’s so accessible, and for young people, it becomes a central part of their social lives,” she says.

This addiction isn’t just about time spent online but also its consequences. “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,” Dr Chang warns.

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’s not just confined to school anymore—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.

“The more you try to stop it, the more it becomes seductive.”

Dr Alice Chang

She draws parallels between social media addiction and other addictions, like gaming, drugs, and alcohol. “It’s just a very easy entry into this world of addiction,” she says. 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. “It’s about creating a framework where technology doesn’t replace the real-world skills children need to develop.”

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. “What happens when these negative posts come up during a background check for a job?” she asks. 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.

“You can’t force social media onto everyone just because it’s available. There has to be a line.”

Dr Alice Chang

She 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.”

Dr Alice Chang

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.”

Dr Alice Chang

Dr Alice Chang’s CV Extract

This is a short extract, correct as of 6/10/2024. For Dr Alice Chang’s full CV, please contact us.

Article updated 24 Feb 2025