The Under-16 Social Media Ban is Coming: Time to Open a Book?

Peek our book recs 📚

If you’re a student who is about to lose their social media because of the under 16 social media ban, it might feel like a big change.

And look, the transition to no social media might not be easy.

But one way you can combat your boredom is by finding hobbies you can do with your friends or on your own to keep yourself occupied.

And the answer? It might be reading.

New research from BehaviourWorks Australia at Monash University shows reading can provide comfort and connection.

“Even a few minutes of reading for pleasure can have measurable effects on mental health,” said Anna Burkey from Australia Reads.

“People who read regularly report feeling calmer, sleeping better and connecting more deeply with others.

“For young Australians, it provides an opportunity to take time out from our busy and distracted digital lives and explore the world around them through the magic of a story.”

CEO of QBD Books, Nick Croydon said there’s a reason why we fall back on books.

“Books bring comfort and joy in a way no device can,”

“We want to help parents replace the scroll with something that sparks imagination and real connection.”

Need some book recommendations? We gotchu.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.

The Hunger Games books started as a trilogy but slowly and surely Suzanne Collins has added two more prequels to this universe.

After publishing A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in 2020, this year she released Sunrise on the Reaping feature our fave victor, Haymitch Abernathy.  

If you haven’t read this yet, you’ll dive into Panem just as the 50^th annual Hunger Games is upon the twelve districts.

In District 12, Haymitch dreads hearing his name called, especially when he just wants to get through his day and spend time with the girl he loves. So, what will he do when he has to enter the Hunger Games?

You’ll definitely want to read this one ahead of the movie’s release in late 2026.  Which BTW has Australian actor Joseph Zada playing the lead 👀

A Way Home by Emily Brewin.

If you’re looking for a book to tackle this one might make you feel more at home  with its Melbourne setting.

Grace is sixteen-years-old and lives under a bridge in the Melbourne CBD. It’s where she meets a new friend Louie and they stumble upon a community piano, reminding her of her mum.

When she and Louie come up with a plan to help her mum, who suffers from mental illness, life becomes all that more exciting, and happier.

Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden.

This book is an oldie, but it’s a good one.

Imagine you and your mates go camping one weekend. You’re out in the bush, sleeping under the starry sky, making meals over a campfire.

But when you return home you realise everyone your town’s been invaded and everyone has been captured.

It’s what happens to main character Ellie and her friends. They’ve got to figure out what’s going on, how to stay safe and where their family has gone.

Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody.

If you binge watched The Summer I Turned Pretty AND you read the books by Jenny Han, this is definitely the next series you need to read.

It’s perfect for anyone looking to read a YA sports rom-com with a happy ending.

Meet Violet: she swears never to date another jock again but when she wants to shove it to her ex that she’s moved on, she decides to (fake) date his biggest rival, Reed.

Who can resist a good fake dating scenario?

Plus this is the first in the series which means if you love it there are still two more for you to read!