Four in five under-16s in Australia using social media despite ban, study shows

Australia's pioneering legislation banning social media for under-16s has seen surprisingly low compliance, with a study revealing that over 80% of this age group continues to use platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram. The ban, which came into effect in December 2025, aimed to protect young users, but research from the University of Newcastle indicates "limited implementation, incomplete compliance, and substantial circumvention."

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limited implementation, incomplete compliance, and substantial circumvention of social media restrictions

The observational study of 408 adolescents found "insufficient evidence to conclude that exposure to the act had any early substantial effects on social media use among adolescents aged under 16 years." A primary reason for this lack of impact is inadequate age verification checks. While many teens reported facing checks, only a small fraction, particularly younger adolescents, had to provide official identification. Common methods like asking for age or uploading a selfie proved easily bypassed.

This research carries significant weight as other nations, including the UK with its proposed 2027 ban, consider similar measures. Experts and campaigners argue that the Australian experience demonstrates that outright bans are not a foolproof solution. They emphasize the need for a more "convincing strategy" to address the risks of harmful online content. The study suggests the ban might be more effective for very young children, rather than adolescents already engaged with social media.

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Overall, we found insufficient evidence to conclude that exposure to the act [of parliament] had any early substantial effects on social media use among adolescents aged under 16 years

Concerns are mounting that such bans, without robust enforcement and alternative safety measures, could leave parents with a false sense of security. The findings underscore the complex challenge of regulating online behavior for minors and highlight the ongoing debate about effective digital safety strategies.

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Unless ministers have a coherent plan to urgently learn lessons, the UK’s ban will similarly unravel. Parents will be left with false hope and a misplaced sense of their children’s safety.