Australia’s under-16 social media ban failing, study shows: What it means

Most Australian teenagers remain active on social media three months after the government imposed a nationwide ban on platforms for users under 16, according to a report by the country's internet regulator. The eSafety Commissioner revealed that over 80% of adolescents continue to use social media despite the restrictions, which took effect on December 10, 2025. The findings suggest that tech companies have not effectively implemented age verification systems, allowing minors to access restricted content. The report, released on Friday, indicates that children aged 10 to 15 maintained similar levels of social media engagement in March as they did prior to the ban. Parental awareness of their children's online activities also declined during the period. The data shows that approximately 81% of children who previously used age-restricted platforms continued to do so, with many retaining existing accounts or creating new ones. This trend highlights the challenges faced by regulators in enforcing digital-age limits. eSafety attributed the ongoing usage primarily to the lack of robust age verification mechanisms by social media platforms. Many users reported that their accounts were not properly checked for age, or that platforms mistakenly identified them as adults. Some teenagers stated that their profiles were marked as 16 or older, enabling continued access. These findings underscore the limitations of current technological solutions in preventing underage access. Australia became the first nation to impose such a comprehensive ban, driven by concerns over the impact of social media on youth well-being. The policy aimed to protect children from potential harms associated with excessive screen time and exposure to inappropriate content. The measure has drawn international attention, with other countries exploring similar regulations. However, the effectiveness of the ban remains questionable based on recent data. Government officials have acknowledged the difficulty of achieving complete compliance. On Saturday, Andrew Leigh, the assistant minister for productivity, competition, charities and treasury, defended the policy amid criticism. He emphasized that the ban had sparked meaningful discussions among parents and influenced public discourse on digital safety. Despite the high rate of non-compliance, he argued that the law remains a necessary step toward safeguarding younger users. Leigh noted that while full adherence is unlikely, the existence of legal frameworks can still serve as a deterrent. He pointed to minimum drinking age laws as a comparable example, acknowledging that enforcement is rarely perfect but that such rules are essential. The government continues to monitor the situation, with plans to evaluate the long-term effects of the ban on youth behavior and mental health. As the policy enters its second month, further analysis will be required to assess its broader societal implications.