Australia’s world-first Digital Delay Mandate, taking effect on 10 December 2025, will require major social platforms to block under-16s. While the policy aims to ease online pressures, it also introduces a new consideration for health professionals: Which teens will struggle when a familiar social outlet suddenly disappears, and how can the sector support them early?
For GPs, psychologists, school counsellors and youth mental health services, this transition represents both a pressure point and an opportunity. As teens shift away from online connection, practitioners may see increased presentations of social anxiety, uncertainty about friendships, and heightened need for structured coping skills.
Macquarie University’s Lifespan Health & Wellbeing Research Centre is stepping in with Chilled Out Online, an evidence-based program designed for teens aged 13–17 that can be recommended, integrated or delivered by clinicians and school-based professionals.
“As we support families, educators, and clinicians through this new digital transition, our priority is to give teens practical, evidence-based strategies to manage anxiety and build social confidence. Stated Prof Viviana Wuthrich, Director, Macquarie University Lifespan Health & Wellbeing Research Centre.
Worrying about friendships and feeling nervous about social interactions is a very common problem during adolescence. The Digital Delay mandate will require teens to form and maintain friendships in different ways. It isn’t just a pause button on social media, it’s an opportunity to teach lasting skills for emotional and social wellbeing.”
A practical, referral-ready tool for clinicians and schools
For families
Chilled Out provides eight self-paced modules with video activities and exercises that help teens understand anxiety, practise coping strategies and build resilience. Parents can support participation through a downloadable mentor workbook, keeping engagement high and reinforcing skills at home.
For schools
School counsellors and school psychologists can be trained to deliver the program in schools, giving education settings a structured, evidence-based response for students who experience anxiety during the Digital Delay period. This enables early identification, targeted intervention and clear referral pathways.
Source: https://www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/centres/lifespan-health-and-wellbeing/emotional-health-clinic/information-for-professionals
For GPs and mental health professionals
Clinicians seeking scalable, low-barrier support options can confidently recommend Chilled Out as a validated program that aligns with the goals of Digital Delay. It provides a safe, guided environment for teens who may feel unsettled or socially disconnected as their online habits shift, helping reduce waitlist pressure and offering immediate support while families navigate referrals.
Why this moment matters for healthcare leaders
Digital Delay represents more than a policy shift, it is a catalyst for identifying teens who may already be struggling but hidden behind the routine of online socialising. For health leaders and practitioners, it offers an opportunity to strengthen early-intervention pathways and ensure support is available before anxiety escalates.
Chilled Out addresses these needs by:
- Reducing anxiety linked to sudden changes in communication patterns
- Supporting teens as they form and maintain friendships in new ways
- Building emotional resilience ahead of returning online in a healthier, more balanced way
This makes it a valuable tool not just for families, but for general practices, school wellbeing teams, and mental health organisations managing increased demand.
Getting started
Health professionals and schools can learn more via Macquarie University’s Lifespan Health & Wellbeing Research Centre. Teens can register online, and clinicians can refer directly through the Emotional Health Clinic.
As the Digital Delay rolls out, pairing policy change with structured emotional support ensures teens aren’t just switching off apps. They are developing the skills, confidence and resilience to thrive beyond them.
Learn more at chilledout.org.au.
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