ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
Thousands of teenagers across Australia have reportedly begun subscribing to the print edition of The Betoota Advocate, following the Albanese Government’s proposed social media ban for anyone under the age of 16.
The sweeping reforms, aimed at addressing online safety and reducing harmful content, could see anyone under 16 banned from accessing platforms like Instagram and TikTok without parental consent. In response, a wave of tech-savvy teens are turning to more old-school methods of consuming news and memes—through ink and paper.
“I heard the Government’s banning social media, so I got my parents to sign me up for The Advocate’s print edition,” said 15-year-old Maddie Walker.
“I need to keep up with what’s going on, even if it’s in this new physical form. Paper TikToks, kinda.”
Subscription numbers have reportedly spiked among the under-16 demographic, with many teens seeing the move as a pre-emptive strike against a future where they might be forced to unplug. Betoota’s editor-in-chief, Dr Clancy Overell OAM, confirmed that they’ve been flooded with requests for the print version.
“Kids like to stay informed and despite what people say,” said Overell.
“So they’re buying newspapers again. Most of them think they’re a fairly new invention. To think we were thinking about winding the print edition up.”
Parents, meanwhile, seem pleased with their children’s new reading habits.
“At least she’s picking up a real newspaper. At least she’s reading,” said Maddie’s mum.
“Even if it’s full of shit.”
More to come.
