Australia's Social Media Ban Explained for Gen Z Communities | NARU Episode 7

Australia's Social Media Ban & What It Means for Gen Z Communities 🗻 Australia just became the first country in the world to ban under-16s from social media. Parents are relieved. Teens are frustrated. Experts are split. So what does the research actually say - and if Gen Z still needs community, connection, and belonging, where do they go? In this episode of the NARU Series, we break down the Online Safety Amendment Act 2024, look at the real data behind both the risks and benefits of social media for young people, and explore what meaningful connection actually looks like for Gen Z communities post-ban. 00:00 Intro 00:41 What is the Australian Social Media Ban? 01:44 Which Platforms Are Banned? 03:09 Why Is Social Media Harmful to Teens? 05:38 Pros vs. Cons of Social Media for Gen Z 08:21 How to Use Social Media in a Healthy Way 10:30 How NARU Is Different 13:02 How Communities Can Use NARU 15:26 Outro 📖 Download the free 2026 Gen Z Learning Community Guide: https://naru.com.au/2026-genz-learnin... If you're a community builder working with young people or running a purpose-driven organisation, this one's for you. The ban isn't the end of social media — it's the start of a much-needed conversation about what belonging actually requires. Learn more: https://naru.com.au Get in touch: [email protected] Thank you for watching ❤️ Made with love, in Melbourne. 🇦🇺 🌐 Follow Our Socials Instagram:   / naru_aus   TikTok:   / naru_aus   X/Twitter:   / naru_aus   LinkedIn:   / naru-aus   📲 Download the NARU App iOS: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/naru/id... Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... 📚 Sources Cited in This Video Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 — legislation.gov.au eSafety Commissioner — esafety.gov.au YouGov Poll, Nov 2024 — Australian public support for the social media ban Leigh & Robson, Australian Economic Review, 2025 — Rise of social media and decline in youth mental wellbeing Blake et al., Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2025 — Youth mental health and the social media ban Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2024 — Youth mental health data University of Queensland Research, Jan 2025 — "Banning social media won't fix the youth mental health crisis" Haidt, J. The Anxious Generation, 2024 — Smartphones, social media, and the rise of mental illness in young people Burgess, K., Sage Journals, 2025 — Narrative review: social media and teen mental health Orygen / PMC, 2022 — Social media as mental health support during COVID-19 Pew Research Center, 2021 — Teen social media use and connection State of Community Report (Tumblr/Lifebonder), 2024 — Gen Z belonging, niche communities, and digital fatigue Hunt et al., Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2018 — Limiting social media reduces loneliness and depression Dane & Bhatia, 2023 — Body image, eating disorders, and social media SociallyIn, 2025 — Gen Z data privacy concerns CNN, Dec 2025 / Guardian Australia, Feb 2026 — Real-world ban rollout and teen experience NARU 2026 Gen Z Learning Community Guide — naru.com.au/2026-genz-learning-community-guide 🏷️ Tags #GenZ #SocialMediaBan #Australia #OnlineSafety #CommunityBuilding #YouthMentalHealth #GenZCommunity #NARU #CommunityPlatform #NonProfit #SocialImpact #DigitalWellbeing #AnxiousGeneration #OnlineCommunity #CommunityManager #YouthWellbeing #SocialMediaAustralia #PurposeDriven #BelongingMatters #MentalHealthAwareness