As a mum of four boys, I’ve watched the online world morph dramatically between siblings. My older two, now 22 and 19, grew up with social media as one fun layer of their teenage years, but it wasn’t the foundation of their identity.

For them it was a way to share memes, check in with friends, maybe post a photo here and there but real-life interactions, school, sport, family ruled the day.

The younger two (12 and 13) are different. For them, social media isn’t just recreation. It’s woven into how they socialise, joke and communicate. Our kids also use platforms like TikTok for education. Often in our house, a new recipe is tried, a soccer skill or a card trick is practised or how to rank higher in a game is discovered.

Social media for them is the underpinning of their humour, their banter, their personality. It forms a strong connection and culture with their peers.

For Dr Pat and me, it feels like watching a second language become their default and I have to admit, I love this style of humour; it feels really creative, sophisticated and socially cohesive.

Until it’s not.

The Data is Clear: Social Media Is Harming Young Teens

The research is now consistent across Australian, European, and North American studies on the impacts of social media for our teens:

• Rates of anxiety and depression spike around the age of first social media use, especially for girls but increasingly for boys.
• Night-time screen use contributes to sleep disruption, which directly affects mood, concentration, and behaviour.
• Social comparison and appearance-related content drive body dissatisfaction and body dysmorphia.
• Algorithm-driven content can funnel kids toward harmful topics at alarming speed.

And perhaps the most concerning statistic: Emergency department presentations for self-harm in Australian adolescents have increased dramatically in the years social media penetration hit critical mass.

So even though I like parts of social media, I can’t cherry pick the content our young teens are exposed to.

And frankly, I am relieved I don’t have to police it anymore or make them feel different from their peers because our family have stricter social media rules.

With a whole of Australia ban, backed by data that shows that our young teens are vulnerable, hitting pause on social media until they’re older, cognitively, emotionally, socially, feels like a parenting win.

But there will be a void. At Christmas.

I want to reiterate that I am wildly enthusiastic about the ban, but I am left thinking if the government had consulted mothers, the people who will (mostly) absorb the emotional, logistical, and relational impact of this ban, the rollout date would not be December.

I am not sure what your December looks like by my mine is full of Christmas cognition overload. Working full time still while school is finishing (queue more hours to fill), presents to buy and wrap, additional grocery shopping, social events to organise and attend, family dramas to placate and manage…

All at the same time as my teens main social outlet being suddenly removed with nary a ‘good luck’.

And with my slightly fried end-of-year nervous system, I both appreciate the protection and I am nervous about the emptiness.

I put together a blog for all the mums who believe in the ban but also have kids staring at them going, “Well… what now?”

100 Ways to Fill the Social Media Void (Without Breaking Mums)

Skim and pick what suits your kid BUT my caveat, you still need to talk to your kids on creating content like photos and videos that they are prepared to have shared.

Our rule of thumb is, don’t share any photos or videos that you wouldn’t share with Mum.

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Keeping Friendships Alive With Tech that isn’t Snapchat

Low-effort, mum-free, still with the independent ‘edgy’ feel.

1. Create group message chats with custom emojis and inside jokes. Like WhatsApp.
2. Send voice notes — even better than texting.
3. Share real-time updates via shared photo albums.
4. Use walkie-talkie style apps for quick chats. There’s ‘walkie talkie’ apps on the app store.
5. Make “video letters” — short clips back and forth.
6. Add memes into group chats as photos instead of links. Google “funny memes” or get them to make their own memes on a meme generator app or in canva
7. Play online games + voice call at the same time. (We only allow conversations with people they know, but if they are matched with people they don’t know they know they can’t give out any details about themselves.)
8. Create shared Google Docs for chaotic group conversations.
9. Make group Spotify playlists.
10. Record screen-free podcast-style conversations to send each other.
11. Trade personal “aesthetic” images or GIF packs they create. Use apps like Kapwing, Canva and use an approved message app like WhatsApp
12. Use digital notebooks for shared doodles & jokes. Like FigJam
13. Start a “friend group challenge board” — updated weekly either physical or digital.
14. Create a IRL hangout routine (same time, same place).

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Social, IRL Friend Hangouts That Don’t Require Parents

Low planning, zero adult involvement.

16. Walk-and-talk loops around local streets.
17. Meet-up spots: oval, skate park, shopping centre food court.
18. “Bring a ball” for cricket, soccer, basketball.
19. Local gym sessions (some gyms have youth hours or make sure the gym has supervisors present).
20. Ride bikes or scooters in groups
21. Op-shop crawls for funny outfits.
22. Food-court meet-ups with a $5 budget challenge.
23. Park or local swimming spot meet-ups with card games or a speaker.
24. Explore a new suburb on public transport. Go three stops, explore and come home.
25. Sunset missions — find the best view of the week. Our teens love the ‘aesthetic’ challenge.
26. Try a new takeaway shop every Friday night.
27. Hang out at the skate park even if no one skates.
28. Take turns hosting mini hangouts after school.
29. Visit playgrounds ironically or to create an obstacle course (teens secretly love this).
30. Visit local waterholes, creeks, beaches
31. Make a slip and slide in the backyard with mates

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Edgy-but-Safe Creative Outlets

Feels like social media — expressive, chaotic, cool.

31. Make short films (mock horror, parodies, fake ads).
32. Urban photography missions in alleys, graffiti spots, rooftops.
33. Thrifted outfit challenges with a theme.
34. Start a “band” even if no one plays instruments.
35. Create their own logo or personal brand identity in something like Canva. We are huge Canva fans and you do most things on the free version.
36. DIY podcasts with friends
37. Make zines — cute little books, messy, artsy, very Gen Z. Check this out
38. Sticker design in something like Cricut. Check this out
39. Do “taste tests” of weird snacks and rank them. The weird things our kids will eat. Yuck.
40. Film “skits” just for the friend group.
41. Make parody music videos.
42. Build homemade “aesthetic” sets for photos.
43. Retro tech exploration: old cameras, camcorders, CDs.
44. Create character alter-egos and film scenes as them.

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Activities Teens Can Do Fully Independently

Self-driven. No parental scaffolding.

46. Design digital art with free apps.
47. Learn card tricks (just in time to impress the cousins at Christmas)
48. Learn magic tricks to impress friends.
49. Create digital comics.
50. Build a model kit (cars, robots, planes).
51. Start a backyard workout routine.
52. Make friendship bracelets to swap at school or sell
53. Do a 30-day challenge (push-ups, drawing, reading, trick shots).
54. Customise sneakers or hats with paint.
55. Try origami — surprisingly addictive.
56. Build Lego sets from mismatched pieces.
57. Write a silly short story or fanfic.
58. Collect things: stickers, rocks, vintage badges, egg cups.
59. Make a time capsule.
60. Redecorate their room themselves with $20 budget limits.

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Out-of-the-House Mini Adventures

Keeps them busy. Burn energy. Builds independence.

61. Visit the library with a friend (they may not read, but they’ll roam and our local library has so many different activities).
62. Map all skateable surfaces within 3km.
63. Go geocaching (modern treasure hunting).
64. Find the best hot chips or bubble tea in town — make a ranking list.
65. Try “weird food challenges” at the supermarket.
66. Do a photography challenge — “10 red things,” “10 shadows,” etc.
67. Explore a local market.
68. Try a new public park each week.
69. Go to the local pool with friends.
70. Visit a second hand record store.
71. Try fishing at a local lake or river.
72. Do a DIY ghost tour of the neighbourhood.
73. Sit at a café pretending to study (very teenage).
74. Explore an op-shop’s weirdest section (wedding dresses, bric-a-brac).
75. Get lots of off cut wood and provide nails and hammer and see what they create.

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Minimal-Effort Family Activities

76. Movie night with everyone choosing one snack.
77. Backyard cricket or basketball.
78. Walk to get ice cream, no planning needed.
79. “Cook your own dinner” night — everyone assembles something easy.
80. Watch funny YouTube compilations together on your smart TV (We do this for funny dog and cat videos, still allowed if not on “social media”).
81. Have a family make your own pizza night
82. Puzzle on the dining table — come and go.
83. Listen to an audiobook together in the car.
84. Do a family board game
85. Eat dinner outside every now and again

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Productive Screen Alternatives

Screens aren’t the enemy — algorithms are.

86. Make logos for fake drinks and take away in Canva
87. Play strategy games (e.g Age of Empires).
88. Do online drawing classes.
89. Watch documentaries on interesting topics.
90. Use Duolingo for language or chess with a friend group.
91. Do safe, offline Minecraft and Clash of Clan (13+) worlds with friends.
92. Learn basic music production apps.
93. Try simple video editing.
94. Explore digital fashion design apps.
95. Make digital mood boards.

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Wellbeing, Identity & Offline Life Skills

Soft skills without being “soft”.

96. Start a personal journal (minimal effort).
97. Make a goals board for 2026.
98. Do a “room reset” weekend.
99. Learn to cook three basic meals.
100. Pick a physical skill to improve: skipping, running, stretching, push up challenge.

Maybe our kids will become even more creative?

As I researched more about how to fill the void after the social media ban, I became excited about how many creative and social avenues are available to our teens that aren’t shaped by algorithms. 

The dread I felt at filling the social media void is slowly lifting. My Christmas cognition overload is still there but it feels productive, not onerous.

I now see that we have an opportunity to build a childhood for our teens that is full of creativity, curiosity and connection that is safer and kinder.

I think we can do it. What do you think?

Written by Practice Manager, Brigid Moloney