Life after social media: Two Perth teenagers share their diaries from the first three days post ban

For the past three years, social media has been a constant companion in the lives of best friends Brooke Kober and Jasmin Doherty.

It was the first thing the Perth teens looked at when they woke up, and the last thing they did before going to sleep — often much later than planned.

Like many other 15-year-olds the only break they got was during school hours — until this week, when they and thousands of other under-16s lost access to TikTok, Snapchat and a host of other apps.

But what is it actually like for teenagers to go cold turkey from something that is so deeply woven into the fabric of who they are, and how they live their lives?

Over three days Jasmin and Brooke, who attend Sacred Heart College, kept a diary of their experience.

DAY ONE

Brooke Kober

My alarm goes off and my first instinct is to reach for my phone. For three years, the first thing I’d do every morning was open TikTok while half-asleep and scroll until my brain actually woke up.

Today, I just stared at my lock screen. No apps to scroll, no notifications to check. It feels weird, like something’s missing. Morning routines feel empty now.

I got ready slower than usual because I didn’t have the usual “just one more video” distraction.

It’s strange how quiet mornings are without constant noise from TikTok. I felt sort of bored, but also lighter, like my head wasn’t already full of random content before my day even started.

I ate breakfast without scrolling. I noticed the kitchen sounds more, I never realised how much noise I drowned out with my phone. But at the same time, the silence made me feel restless. I kept thinking I was forgetting something.

At school a speaker explained the new rules behind the social media ban. They talked about how apps have been affecting our attention, sleep, and mental health, and even showed stats about how companies design everything to keep us addicted.

Hearing the reasons made the whole ban feel more real, but it also made me nervous since I’ve relied on social media for so long.

Everyone in my year group had mixed reactions, some were scared, some annoyed, and a few said it might actually be good for us.

I left school feeling unsure how I’m going to adjust to life without social media, but part of me is curious to see if anything about my sleep or mental health will actually change.

I even started thinking about setting small goals for myself, like spending more time outside or focusing on hobbies I’d forgotten about, just to see if life without constant notifications could improve things for me.

Walking out of school was weirdly difficult. Normally I’m on TikTok or replying to Snap streaks or messages. I caught myself thinking, ‘what do people even do after school without scrolling?’ I took my time walking home.

After school is usually when I’d collapse in bed and scroll for hours. The silence felt overwhelming. I wandered around my room for a bit, not sure what to do with myself.

It almost felt like having too much free time was uncomfortable. Like I should be doing something but didn’t know what. I felt like i was missing out on what’s happening in the online world.

I tried filling the time. I cleaned my desk a bit, listened to music, and even just laid down staring at the ceiling. It’s honestly surprising how big the afternoon feels when it isn’t being swallowed by TikTok videos. At one point I felt genuinely bored, the kind of boredom I haven’t felt in years.

By 5pm I thought about redownloading everything, creating new accounts. My brain keeps expecting dopamine hits that aren’t coming anymore. But I stayed off them.

I talked to my family a bit. It felt slower and more real than messaging or snapping people. I wasn’t half-listening like usual because there wasn’t a screen pulling at my attention.

I did my homework quicker than I normally would. I miss the constant entertainment but also I’m noticing things I never paid attention to before.

Evenings are the hardest. This is usually when I’d be deep in TikTok, losing hours without noticing. Now I suddenly have too much time and not enough things to fill it with. I tried listening to music, and even going for a short walk outside.

Normally I’d be scrolling until midnight, telling myself “just five more minutes.” Tonight I’m lying here with nothing buzzing in my hand. My mind feels both clearer and more restless at the same time. I miss the distraction, but I’m also kind of proud of myself.

Jasmin Doherty

Waking up on Wednesday felt instantly different. I went to open Snapchat like I always do, and it just wasn’t there — the apps I’d gone to bed with the night before had completely disappeared by morning.

It felt weird not seeing my friends’ stories or checking where everyone was on Snap Maps, something I used to do without even thinking.

Texting my friends felt different too; we normally just send quick snaps or photos, so actually having to think of real topics to talk about was strange at first.

Not knowing who’s online or what people are doing made everything feel a bit disconnected, and I realised how much I was used to constantly checking little updates all day. I feel as though because we had so much warning about the ban we were kind of prepared about the reality of it happening

After the final bell, I instinctively reach for my phone like I’m about to check notifications. Then I remember… there are none.

Everyone around me is busy snapping pics, scrolling fast, laughing at something on their screens. I feel a little out of the loop, like I’m standing outside a party I used to be inside.

I take a slower walk to the bus stop. No music, no videos, just fresh air and the sound of cars passing. It’s kind of peaceful in a lonely way.

DAY TWO

Brooke

Thursday was my first full day without social media at home, and it felt strange at first. I kept reaching for my phone out of habit, but then I realised there was nothing to scroll through anymore.

Without the apps, it feels like there’s suddenly more time in the day that isn’t being drained by nonstop swiping and checking updates.

I still can’t help feeling like I’m missing out on what’s happening in other people’s lives and what’s going on in the social world, like everyone knows what’s going on and I don’t.

I ended up doing stuff I usually put off like cleaning my room, reading, and actually relaxing without feeling rushed. My friends checked in to see how I was handling it, and we talked about how strange it feels not having social media all of a sudden.

I also hung out with a friend for a while to entertain ourselves and take our minds off the ban.

At home, my parents asked how my day went, and even though I’m still annoyed about the ban, I told them my day felt quieter and more peaceful without all the constant updates.

No TikTok, no Snap streaks, no endless scrolling. It still feels strange, almost like I’ve lost a part of my routine, but maybe it’s a good kind of strange. I guess this is the hard part: learning how to be alone with my thoughts again, learning how to have time without needing to fill it with a screen every second.

Jasmin

By today, the reality of having no Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok started to sink in more. It still feels odd not being able to rely on those apps to fill spare moments or to chat with friends instantly or know what they’re up to.

But at the same time, I noticed I had way less screen time, which honestly made the day feel calmer. Conversations with friends were a bit easier because we were actually talking instead of just sending pictures.

In the evening, I pick up a book I never finished and read a few chapters, then switch to doodling in my notebook. My mind feels restless, craving the quick stimulation I used to get from apps.

I talk with my family—really talk, without checking a screen. I notice the little things I usually miss: a joke, a laugh, a small expression. Being fully present feels surprisingly good.

Homework is done faster than usual. No “just one more video” interruptions makes my brain feel sharper, though a little restless.

Evening is long. Normally, I’d lose hours scrolling. Now, I listen to music, tidy my room, and take short peaceful walks outside to clear my head.

Even going to sleep was easier without scrolling through TikTok for “five minutes” that normally turns into an hour. It’s definitely an adjustment not knowing where everyone is or what they’re doing online, but maybe it’s something I’ll get used to.

DAY THREE

Brooke:

Friday felt like a strange continuation of yesterday, almost like I was still getting used to this new version of my life. It was my last day of school, which made everything feel even more unreal.

Usually the end of term is filled with people taking photos, posting countdowns, or making plans in group chats, but for me it was just quiet. Today felt a little less shocking, but I still had that instinctive reach for my phone after the last bell, only to remember there’s nothing there to check.

Even though I’m annoyed about the ban, I have to admit the day felt calmer in a way I’m not used to. With no pressure to post anything or keep up with everyone’s end-of-school updates, I just hung out with my friends.

We talked, joked around, and actually paid attention to each other instead of drifting off into our screens. It still feels like I’m missing out on the online side of things, but it wasn’t as overwhelming today.

When I got home, my parents asked how I felt finishing school without being able to share it online. Honestly, it’s weird thinking about the holidays coming up when I won’t be posting photos, stories, or updates like I usually do. Part of me wonders how different everything will feel without documenting it all, but another part of me is curious—maybe the break will make the holidays feel slower, or more real somehow.

I’m still adjusting, and still frustrated, but today felt a little more manageable. Maybe this is what it’s like when life isn’t constantly filtered through a screen.

Jasmin

By Friday, the ban still felt strange, but I wasn’t as shocked waking up without notifications.

I checked my phone out of habit again, but at least this time I didn’t expect anything to be there. Getting ready for school was quicker and honestly less chaotic. Without scrolling in the morning, I actually had time to eat breakfast without rushing.

At school, everyone seemed a bit more used to it. People were still complaining, but not as dramatically as the first two days.

We talked more in person, and it felt like friendships were a little more real without screens in between. During breaks, instead of everyone sitting in circles on their phones, people actually looked up and joined conversations.

After school, the boredom hit again, but it wasn’t as overwhelming. I did my homework, listened to music, and even helped with dinner. I still miss the apps, but I’m starting to realise life doesn’t stop without them.