According to a new study, the age at which adolescents begin using social media has a much greater impact on their mental health than simply having a personal account on a platform.
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney and published in the authoritative medical journal JAMA Network Open, involved 365 Australian adolescents aged 10 to 15 and their parents. The results showed that children who began using social media at a younger age exhibited more symptoms of anxiety and depression. According to the data, 70% of participants had already used social media, while the average age at which they first entered the digital space was 11.
The study was conducted in December 2025, just weeks before Australia’s law banning social media use by children under 16 came into effect. According to the study’s lead researcher, Associate Professor Susan Schweizer, the researchers were surprised to find that the age at which adolescents begin using social media is a much more critical factor for mental health than simply having an account on a platform. The authors believe that delaying young people’s exposure to the digital world is a promising approach, particularly if this period is used to help children develop healthy digital hygiene habits.
Despite the government-imposed ban, the study showed that simply restricting access may not fully address the problem. Only a quarter of the adolescents surveyed planned to stop using social media altogether. Some 34% said they intended to access platforms without an account, while 35% said they would find ways to circumvent the regulations. Therefore, according to the researchers, protecting adolescents’ mental health requires not only restrictions but also the active involvement of parents and educators in developing digital literacy.
Meanwhile, another study published in JMIR Mental Health examined the effects of face-to-face and online communication. It found that live, face-to-face communication generates significantly more positive emotions and a stronger sense of social belonging among adolescents. However, for socially sensitive young people, online communication proved easier in the short term because it gives them more time to formulate a response. Nevertheless, the researchers emphasize that real-world communication remains essential for maintaining healthy, long-term relationships.
The researchers will continue monitoring the adolescents and their parents involved in the study over the next 12 months to objectively assess how the Australian government’s ban has affected young people’s behavior and mental health.
