Social Media Ban for Teenagers: they access less news
May 24, 2026
Before the Social Media Ban was put in place in December 2025, among various concerns, was teenagers would consume less news.
1007 teenagers aged 10 -17 were surveyed in February 2026, only two months after the ban, but even in that short period, they reported they were getting less news and fewer opportunities to discuss issues that were important to them.
In parallel, ACARA researchers have found school students' civic knowledge is the lowest it's been in the 20 years of testing and that news interest engagement is closely associated with civic engagement.
But, reduced access to social media won't mean they turn to traditional sources. They suggest the key is trust and education. It's up to us to develop media literacy that highlights the link between the importance of news and the democratic process and, equally, to lobby news organisations to represent young people more often.
See the whole article in the conversation, here
Image: nothing to do with Social Media Ban, we just liked the image - Diamond Heist Workshop incursion, Sydney and surrounds.
Years 7 -9 - how to foster engagement
Research shows students beginning high school suffer, not just for a short time, but they often, lose confidence, are less inclined to be engaged or persevere. Students became more worried and sad, feeling less happiness and optimism and these feelings can last for years.
Read more →
Naplan - scores similar but low participation in NT
We're sure teachers will have a better read of the scores, but they seem roughly the same as previously.
What really stands out to us is -
- The low participation of NT students and also that
- Despite Victorian teachers dissatisfaction, scores of Victorian students was either hig
Creativity - the Big C & the Small c.
Many people think of creativity as being brilliant or innovative in the arts or sciences, or even just pursuing these disciplines as hobbies - these are what academics call the Big C Creativity.
They argue that creativity, the small c type, is what helps us solve everyday problems, consider options
Read more →