Australia's teen social media ban fails majority

Australia's pioneering legislation to ban social media for those under 16 has shown limited success, with over 80% of under-16s still actively using platforms three months after the law's December 2025 implementation. A University of Newcastle study revealed that legislation prohibiting access to sites like TikTok, X, and Instagram has faced substantial circumvention due to inadequate age verification checks.

Researchers found minimal reduction in daily social media usage among adolescents. A significant number of teenagers reported using fake accounts or VPNs to bypass restrictions. Experts and campaigners suggest that such bans alone are insufficient to prevent children from accessing harmful online content. The findings carry implications for countries like the UK, which plans a similar ban in 2027.

Calls are being made for a more comprehensive strategy beyond simple age restrictions. The UK government has stated its upcoming ban will feature stronger age verification. However, child welfare advocates emphasize that these measures must be part of a broader plan to protect minors from online harms, rather than relying on bans that may offer a false sense of security.