Social Media Ban Survey
On This Page
About the survey
In May 2026, CYDA surveyed children and young people with disability, parents, and caregivers about their thoughts on the Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) Act.
This is the world-first law, passed in Australia in December 2025, that restricts anyone under 16 from holding an account on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others.
We wanted to find out how the ban impacts the rights, well-being, and safety of children and young people with disability.
The survey heard from 118 respondents. These included:
- 23 children and young people with disability under 16
- 42 children and young people with disability aged 16 to 25
- 53 parents or caregivers of children with disability under 16
Key findings at a glance
Our survey found that for people with disability under 16:
- 95% still access social media in some way
- None feel safer online because of the restrictions
- 48% feel more isolated or disconnected
For people with disability aged 16 to 25:
- 24% have been blocked from platforms due to inaccessible verification technology
For all groups:
- Nearly 80% think the restrictions are not fair and do not meet the needs of children and young people with disability
For more about these and other findings, check out our full Survey Summary Factsheet.
Click the buttons below to download it today
Learn more about the SMMA Act
Navigating the changes
Get a clear and accessible overview of how the law works, as well as information on how to navigate the changes as a child, young person or parent.
CYDA's position on the ban
Learn about CYDA’s main concerns about the SMMA Act and what we are been doing to advocate for children and young people with disability.