Most Australian Teens Still on Social Media Despite Under-16 Ban, Regulator Finds

Despite Australia's landmark ban on social media access for under-16s, a significant majority of teenagers are still actively using these platforms. A study by the country's internet regulator revealed that more than 80% of teenagers surveyed were active on social media three months after the ban commenced.

The regulator attributed this persistent usage to the failure of technology companies to implement effective age verification systems. The ban, intended to protect young users, has been undermined by inadequate checks at the platform level. This finding points to a gap between regulatory intent and practical enforcement.

The study's results underscore the difficulties in restricting access for minors in the digital age. While the government aimed to create a safer online environment for young Australians, the lack of robust age verification by social media firms has rendered the ban largely ineffective for this age group. The findings raise questions about future strategies for protecting minors online.