Ten alternatives to social media for young people

In Australia, new rules are about to come into place, setting limits on social media access for under-16s. (If you're wondering, here's the list of platforms that are banned.) While many parents and young people are relieved, I’ve also seen a wave of concern - voiced on social media, ironically - that the change will isolate young people from their friends and cut them off from meaningful social and political engagement.

As a mother of two children affected by the ban - one in primary school and one in high school - I’m acutely aware that young people still need connection, expression, and a sense of belonging. I work hard to provide that outside the digital world, of course. But it’s also the 21st century. Digital spaces have become an extension of how young people navigate life, identity, learning, creativity, and relationships. Removing those spaces overnight can feel like a rupture, not a relief.

Having worked online since 2008, I’m intimately aware of both the benefits and the pitfalls of digital life. And one of the most common questions I’ve been asked over the years is how to build an online presence or a business without using social media - usually because people find the big platforms too toxic, too noisy, or too overwhelming. Even without a ban, I’m forever on the lookout for online spaces that allow genuine connection without the hyper-stimulating swirl of major social platforms.

So if your teen or young person is about to be locked out of Instagram or TikTok, and you’re wondering what else might help them stay connected to ideas, communities, learning, and creativity, here are ten accessible, age-appropriate alternatives.

These platforms aren’t considered 'social media' under the new definitions, but they still give teens a sense of connection to the wider world.

1. What'sApp and Messenger

Teens will still be able to message their friends through these platforms. They remain approved because they’re considered communication services, not social media. They’re useful for maintaining close friendships without the wider pressures of performative posting.

2. Pinterest (13+)

There's long been a debate in online entrepreneurial circles about whether or not Pinterest is a social media platform. Personally, I think it is, and I also see why it hasn't been banned, because it operates differently from many other social media platforms. Teens can express themselves through their pins, be creatively inspired, and find boards that help deepen their interest in particular topics without many of the hazards of other platforms. You have to be 13 to have a Pinterest account and teens aged 13-15 have private personal profiles to protect their identities.

3. Minecraft Realms and Education Edition

Minecraft is one of the most community-driven platforms for under-16s. Invited friends can join private servers where the social element comes from co-creating, problem-solving, and play. In addition, Minecraft Education Edition adds structured group learning, challenges, and collaborative projects - all within a safe environment.

4. Scratch (MIT)

Scratch is a moderated, global community for young coders, animators, and storytellers. It was designed for children and teens, and remains one of the safest online spaces for digital expression.
Teens can share projects, comment kindly, and collaborate, all with rigorous moderation.

5. Duolingo

It might seem like 'just a language app', but for teens, Duolingo is part-learning, part-community. Leaderboards, clubs, and streaks give them a sense of global connection without any of the hazards of social media. And as a parent, having your kid say, 'I've just got to do Duolingo before bed so I don't lose my streak' is quietly satisfying, knowing that their Spanish/Japanese/Indonesian is also improving by the day. 

6. Medium (13+)

For teens interested in ideas, writing, social issues, or culture, Medium is an excellent alternative to social media. It’s a publishing platform, not a social network, and teens can explore thousands of perspectives or even publish their own work with parental consent. It's thoughtful engagement rather than endless scrolling.

7. Substack (with Parental Consent)

Substack isn’t considered social media under the new laws. Teens can read newsletters, explore topics they care about - climate, books, mental health, philosophy, science - and even publish their own writing if they choose. It also has a notes feature where they can share ideas without writing full stories. Substack is a pretty lovely place on the internet - a bit like early internet days when influencers weren't really a thing - just quiet connection through stories and images. (My own Substack feed is currently filled with people sharing nature photos, which is a truly lovely thing.)

8. Goodreads

For book-loving teens, Goodreads provides a way to connect with other readers, follow authors, join book clubs, and explore reviews. It’s a safe, interest-based community with minimal direct messaging.

9. Letterboxd (Film Community, 13+)

If your teen is a film lover, Letterboxd is the perfect alternative. They can log the films they watch, follow reviewers, explore global cinema lists, and take part in a warm, often witty community built around storytelling and critique.

10. The New York Times Learning Network

This is a gem for curious teens, particularly the two 15 year olds who are taking the Australian government to court because they think their 'political communication' is being banned. (I'm very keen to learn who is funding that case.) The Learning Network runs writing prompts, debates, global news explainers, and contests specifically for teens. It’s a way to stay connected to world events and ideas in a structured, educational setting. One might even say it's the perfect space to prepare for political communication in your later teen years and beyond. 

Bonus idea: Podcasts and communities facilitated by small business owners

Podcasts are also one of my personal favourite ways to learn new things and feel connected to a community. Many podcast hosts have built community elements into their show to help their listeners feel connected to their topic and the people who love it. And if your finances allow, there are many online communities for kids, facilitated by small business owners, that provide opportunities for connection in more private, interest-based environments. Rebecca Sparrow's bookclubs come to mind as one such space. 

A gentle reminder about what social media actually is

Social media platforms are businesses. They're not neutral spaces. They're driven by commercial interests, which means they've been deliberately designed to keep people on them for as long as possible. The fact that they’re free can lull us into forgetting that they are commercial spaces. They look like the town square — if the town square had ads every few seconds, random arguments happening in every corner, conspiracy theorists lurking near the fountain, and strangers shouting opinions in your child’s face.

Meanwhile, a few people are becoming billionaires off the back of all this activity.

And that's because social media is not the town square. It’s the mall. On steroids. With a million soapboxes and no quiet corners.

What the ban is and what it isn’t

The ban isn’t stopping kids or teens from accessing the internet. It’s stopping them from accessing certain platforms that can be harmful to their well-being. The eSafety Commissioner surveyed around 2,600 children aged 10–15 years, and around seven in ten said they had encountered harmful content online. This is why the Australian Government is acting to delay giving children access to those spaces.

And the concern is well justified. Teach Us Consent found that it takes just 23 minutes for a social media account mimicking a 16-18-year-old boy to be fed misogynistic content, regardless of the account’s viewing preferences. In an environment like this, spending the early years giving children the skills to engage critically with social media isn’t just helpful; it’s necessary.

As parents, we’re the first generation to navigate the long-term impacts of the internet on young minds, their sense of self, and how they see their place in the world. The ban provides an opportunity to teach kids and teens how to be conscious about how they spend time online. To choose interest-based spaces, rather than generalised feeds that can lead any of us - adults too - down narrow, reactive ways of thinking.

Of course, connection is a psychological necessity, not a luxury. Young people want dialogue, creativity, shared interests, and a sense of belonging — and they can still have all of that without traditional social media.

The key is helping them shift from scrolling through a feed (or performing for one) to participating in communities of interest.

That’s far healthier and more supportive of their development.

To get started, here are some questions to ask your teen:

• What do you want to stay connected to?

• What interests do you want to explore?

• What kind of online space feels supportive rather than stressful?

There's also a helpful FAQ section here from the Australian E-Commissioner if you're confused about the ban, including a video to show your kids. 

The internet shouldn't be a free-for-all; it should be a place where young people can explore, learn, and connect without being exploited.

Further resources

Here's an article to help create a family technology plan. 

Here's one on helping your teens achieve a balanced approach to screen time.