December 10 marks a turning point for Australia's youngest internet users. A nationwide ban preventing anyone under 16 from accessing social media platforms goes live, but here's the catch—teens themselves aren't celebrating.

Many young Australians worry this policy might backfire. For countless kids, online communities aren't just entertainment—they're lifelines. Safe digital spaces where they connect with others who understand them, find support groups, or explore identities they can't express elsewhere.

Critics argue: what happens when you suddenly cut off these connections? The government sees protection; young people see isolation. It's raising tough questions about whether top-down restrictions actually serve the communities they claim to protect, or if we're just trading one set of risks for another.