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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Australian youth say social media ban ineffective six months on

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Six months after Australia implemented a ban on social media for minors, young people report it is ineffective.
  • Many children continue to access social media platforms, with parents confirming their kids still have active accounts.
  • The article explores the limitations of current age verification methods, particularly facial recognition technology, in enforcing the ban.

Six months after Australia enacted its pioneering social media ban for young people, teenagers are stating the measure is not working. "I've had social media, and I have not been kicked off," said 12-year-old Ned, reflecting a common sentiment among his peers.

I've had social media, and I have not been kicked off.

— Ned, 12A young person's experience with the social media ban.

His experience is echoed by others, like 13-year-old Jaxson, who noted, "Kids still have it and they're watching it." Giselle, 16, added, "Everyone's getting around it." Data from the eSafety commissioner supports these claims, with a recent survey showing 70 percent of 898 parents reporting their children still possess active social media accounts.

The effectiveness of age verification, a key component of the ban, is under scrutiny. Platforms often use methods like facial scanning. Iain Corby, executive director of the Age Verification Providers Association, described facial scanning as "the easiest, the quickest and the least disruptive method."

Kids still have it and they're watching it.

— Jaxson, 13A young person's observation on the ineffectiveness of the ban.

However, testing by BTN revealed significant flaws. Eleven Year 9 students created Yoti accounts, a facial analysis service used by major platforms. The app only indicated if users were under 18, close to 18, or over 18. All students were classified as under 18, with two 14-year-olds estimated to be nearing 18. Students also admitted to circumventing the system. "I think I used my sister's face," said 14-year-old Vinaya. Norman, also 14, shared how a friend used a printed photo of Michael Jackson, successfully passing as over 21.

Everyone's getting around it.

— Giselle, 16A young person's comment on circumventing the social media ban.

Yoti stated it has developed anti-spoofing technology called MyFace to prevent such issues, but acknowledged that social media companies decide whether to implement these features. Furthermore, Yoti noted that platforms can choose whether to use "age buffers," which require users to appear older than the minimum age, rather than just meeting it. In Australia, no such safety buffer approach has been mandated, leading many platforms to rely on a single age estimate, like 16+, without a defined safety margin. This allows younger users to bypass the restrictions.

It's the easiest, the quickest and the least disruptive method.

— Iain CorbyExecutive director of the Age Verification Providers Association, describing facial scanning.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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