Australia's social media ban for under-16s struggles with enforcement, report finds

Australia's attempt to shield under-16s from social media has yielded underwhelming results just three months after its implementation. A new report from the eSafety Commissioner reveals that over 80% of children aged 10 to 15 continue to access social media platforms restricted by the ban, with usage frequency remaining largely unchanged.

The core issue appears to be the inadequacy of age verification systems employed by technology companies. The study found that many children who previously had accounts were able to retain them, and new accounts were easily created. Approximately half of the children surveyed reported that platforms never checked their age, while others managed to register with an age above 16 or benefited from system errors that incorrectly identified them as adults.

This lack of effective age verification has prompted regulators to launch investigations into five major platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. The Australian government has signaled its intent to strengthen enforcement by doubling the maximum fines for non-compliant tech companies and expanding the data collection powers of regulatory bodies.

However, the report also raises concerns about unintended consequences. While the ban has seen a decrease in the proportion of children holding social media accounts, the study noted an increase in the use of messaging apps and online gaming platforms. This shift could potentially reduce parental oversight, making it harder for guardians to identify and address online risks faced by their children. The eSafety Commissioner's findings are based on a comparison of usage patterns from over 4,000 children and families before and after the ban took effect.