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Australia: Social Media Ban Fails to Stop Children, Who Find Ways Around It
🇬🇷 Greece /Culture & Society

Australia: Social Media Ban Fails to Stop Children, Who Find Ways Around It

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Documents & data Context piece
  • A ban on social media for children under 16 in Australia, implemented in late 2025, has seen an increase in usage among this age group.
  • Children are reportedly bypassing the ban using VPNs or providing false age information.
  • Usage of platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram has either returned to pre-ban levels or slightly increased, with a notable shift towards messaging apps like WhatsApp.

An Australian ban on social media access for children under 16, enacted in late 2025, appears to be failing, with usage among the targeted age group actually increasing, according to data from a parental control app. The law aimed to protect minors from online harassment and algorithmic manipulation.

Data from Qustodio indicates that after an initial dip following the December 10 implementation date, social media use among children under 16 has rebounded. For instance, TikTok usage among 10- to 12-year-olds in July 2026 stood at 11.36%, slightly higher than the 10.73% recorded in November 2025, just before the ban. Among 13- to 15-year-olds, 25.96% continue to use the platform, a mere 1% decrease from pre-ban levels. Similar trends are observed for Snapchat and Instagram, with usage showing an upward trajectory.

They were able to access the platforms through VPNs or by giving false age details.

— Yasmin LondonA cybersecurity specialist at Qustodio, explaining how children are bypassing the social media ban.

Cybersecurity experts suggest children are circumventing the restrictions by using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or by falsifying their birthdates to access the platforms. Yasmin London, a cybersecurity specialist at Qustodio, noted these methods. However, she also conceded that the restrictions might simply "not have worked" as intended.

Furthermore, the data reveals a significant shift towards messaging services like WhatsApp, which are not affected by the Australian legislation. This suggests that while the ban may have altered platform choices, it has not fundamentally reduced children's engagement with online communication. The effectiveness of such measures has been widely debated, with a June study by Australian researchers finding little evidence to support their efficacy.

the restrictions might simply 'not have worked'

— Yasmin LondonA cybersecurity specialist at Qustodio, commenting on the potential ineffectiveness of the social media ban.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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