Australia defends social media ban for minors despite low compliance

Australia's government is defending its pioneering ban on social media access for children under 16, even as new data reveals significant challenges in its enforcement. The policy, implemented three months ago, aims to protect young people's mental and physical health from the adverse effects of social media.

Recent figures from eSafety, Australia's online safety regulator, show that more than eight out of ten Australian teenagers are still active on social media platforms. This statistic has raised questions about the ban's effectiveness and compliance rates.

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We have had millions of accounts shut down. We never expected that this would be complied with by everyone.

Despite the low compliance, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and the Treasury, Andrew Leigh, asserted that the ban has been instrumental in changing the national discourse. He stated that millions of accounts have been deactivated, acknowledging that complete adherence was never expected, similar to age restrictions for alcohol consumption.

The ban, introduced in December amid growing concerns about social media's impact on youth, is being closely watched globally. It has faced criticism from U.S.-based social media companies.

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We do not get full compliance with the law for the consumption of alcohol either, but it is still appropriate to have such rules.