Key facts
- Over 80% of Australian teens aged 10-15 continue to use social media.
- A government ban on social media for those under 16 took effect three months ago.
- Tech platforms have not implemented effective age checks.
- Social media usage frequency among teens has remained largely unchanged.
- Parental awareness of the ban has decreased.
Three months after the Australian government enacted a ban on social media use for individuals under 16, a significant majority of teens aged 10-15 are still actively using these platforms. Data indicates that more than 80% of this age group continues their social media engagement, with no substantial change in usage frequency. The primary reason cited for this continued access is the failure of technology platforms to implement effective age verification systems. This lack of robust checks allows underage users to bypass the restrictions.