Key facts
- More than 80% of Australian under-16s continue to use social media three months after a ban.
- The ban, effective since December 2025, prohibits accounts on platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat for those under 16.
- A study by the University of Newcastle found "limited implementation, incomplete compliance, and substantial circumvention" of the restrictions.
- Inadequate age verification checks were identified as a major reason for continued use.
- The study suggests the ban might be more effective for children under eight than for adolescents.
A study from Australia's University of Newcastle has revealed that a significant majority of under-16s continue to use social media platforms despite a ban implemented in December 2025. The research indicates that the legislation has resulted in "limited implementation, incomplete compliance, and substantial circumvention," with no substantial early effects on adolescent social media use.
The study, which surveyed 408 adolescents aged 12 to 17, found that approximately 85% were still using social media three months after the ban, with over half using their own accounts. While two-thirds reported undergoing age verification checks, the methods were often superficial, with only a small percentage of younger teens providing official ID. Common checks included asking for age or uploading a selfie. A notable minority of participants admitted to bypassing restrictions using fake accounts or VPNs.
Experts and campaigners suggest that such bans alone are insufficient to prevent children from accessing harmful online content. Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, stated that the findings show a ban is unlikely to improve teens' mental health and wellbeing without a more comprehensive strategy. Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, echoed this, emphasizing that bans should not be a "silver bullet" and that all online services with harmful features should be restricted for children.
Professor Dennis Ougrin cautioned against concluding the policy has failed prematurely, noting that the key measure of success should include improvements in outcomes like mental health and exposure to harmful content, not just usage reduction. A UK government spokesperson indicated that their proposed ban, set to take effect in 2027, will incorporate stronger age verification measures to prevent circumvention.