Young advocates and LGBTIQA+ youth are expressing concerns about an impending social media ban that could significantly impact regional teenagers. The ban, set to take effect on December 10, will prohibit individuals under 16 from accessing various social media platforms. For many young people, these platforms provide essential support and community connections, particularly for those in isolated areas.

Abbie Jane, a 16-year-old from Broken Hill, shared her experience of facing severe homophobia at her school. "Growing up in a regional area felt really isolating," she said. Abbie began experiencing bullying at age 12, which took a toll on her mental health. She recalled a distressing incident when she attempted to raise a pride flag at school, only to be met with homophobic abuse from peers. "I was stuck in a constant cycle of hatred, and it was horrible," she said.

To combat her feelings of isolation, Abbie turned to social media to launch the Rainbow Shoelace Project, distributing pride-colored shoelace beads in her community. She credited social media with helping her navigate a challenging period in her life. "Without social media, I wouldn't have been able to create that thing that basically saved my life," she said.

The upcoming ban will affect platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, which are likely to be included under the new legislation. The online safety regulator, eSafety, is also assessing other platforms such as WhatsApp and Discord for potential inclusion. While the government aims to protect young people from online harm, the ban raises concerns for LGBTIQA+ youth who rely on these platforms for support and connection.

A survey conducted by LGBTQIA+ charity Minus18 found that 91% of nearly 1,000 queer youth participants felt social media helped them find friends within the community. Additionally, 82% believed a social media ban would leave them feeling disconnected. Varo Lee, chief executive of the SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance, highlighted the dilemma: "There's a bit of a tension between preventing us from harm but also preventing us from finding community."

Kelsey Van der Woude, a 15-year-old from South Australia, expressed her fears about the ban. She identifies as agender and lesbian and noted that living in a regional area limits opportunities to connect with others who share similar identities. "LGBT+ people will be cut off," she said. Kelsey found solace in online spaces where she could explore her identity away from the bullying she faced at school.

Joe Ball, Victoria's LGBTIQA+ Communities Commissioner, raised concerns about the potential mental health impacts of the ban. He noted that LGBTIQA+ youth already experience higher rates of poor mental health and suicide. "With the introduction of the social media ban, we've lost one of our pathways to those services," he said.

Ace Long, a 16-year-old who identifies as agender and pansexual, emphasized the importance of offline support networks. They found a local community arts group to be a safe space for connection. "I feel like it can fill the gap of loneliness that [the ban] will create because they'll lose many online communities," Ace said.

Advocacy groups are calling for increased funding and support for offline spaces where LGBTIQA+ individuals can connect. Varo Lee noted a significant lack of such spaces in regional Australia. "We're seeing government driving the social media ban, then I would want government to be stepping up and playing a lead role in funding and providing some of those spaces in consultation with community," he said.

Abbie, Kelsey, and Ace all agreed that schools need to take more responsibility in addressing bullying. Abbie pointed out that her cyberbullying came from classmates, not anonymous online users. "If the government had dealt with my situation and so many other people's situations better, the social media ban wouldn't have to be in place," she said.

The federal government stated it has consulted with various groups, including LGBTIQA+ and mental health organizations, before implementing the ban. However, it has not provided details on how it plans to support safe offline spaces for queer youth once the ban is enacted.