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Kids bypass Australia's age 16 social media ban easily
13 Apr
Summary
- Most teens surveyed still have active social media accounts.
- Seventy percent of teens found it easy to circumvent the ban.
- The ban's effect on wellbeing is unclear, study suggests.
Australia's pioneering social media ban for individuals under 16, implemented on December 10, is facing scrutiny regarding its effectiveness. A poll conducted by the Molly Rose Foundation among 1,050 Australian children aged 12-15 revealed that 61% of those previously using restricted platforms maintained active accounts.
Furthermore, the foundation's study indicated that the ban has not demonstrated a clear impact on children's wellbeing. A significant 70% of children attempting to access banned platforms reported ease in circumventing the restrictions. This raises substantial questions for other countries considering similar measures.
In parallel, the Australian government's March report highlighted investigations into major platforms like Snap, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for potential non-compliance. The eSafety agency is expected to conclude these investigations by mid-2026, with enforcement powers including substantial civil penalties.
