What parents need to know: Trevor Long addresses social media ban on Triple M Brisbane

Trevor Long. Image: LinkedIn

With Australia‘s under-16 social media ban having now officially kicked in, leading technology commentator Trevor Long found himself one of the busiest blokes in the country yesterday, breaking down what it all means for kids and their parents.

Long – who recently signed on exclusively with SCA as its Triple M Tech Expert for 2026 – joined Triple M Brisbane Breakfast with Marto, Margaux and Dan on the first day of the ban, explaining how kids are already finding ways around it, and what parents need to know right now.

Recent statistics suggest as many as 95% of children aged between 10 and 16 were on social media.

And even with the ban now in place, Long believes 30% will still be there.

“You’re going to get the older siblings, you’re going to get the mate at school in the two years above – you’re going to get the parents who go just go ‘Yeah, I don’t mind … just scan my face. It’s fine,’” said Long.

“But I will caution that my guess is that over the next few months, they’ll again get flagged as being young because of what they do and the content they watch, so it’s not going to be a permanent ‘You’re fine.’ I think they’ll be reassessed as being underage.”

“What we’ve proven already is that facial scans is not a way of proving how old someone is. It’s rubbish technology and we need a better solution.”

Nova’s Michael ‘Wippa’ Wifpli – who co-founded the 36 Months campaign and was instrumental in getting the social media ban introduced – admits the next few weeks are going to be a wild ride.

“This is the Number 1 topic that parents are concerned about … this is a huge relief for so many people.”