Study: Australia's social media ban is almost ineffective

A new study conducted by Australia’s eSafety watchdog has revealed that the country’s social media ban for children under 16 years old has had minimal impact. Despite the regulation, more than 80 percent of young Australians continue to use social media platforms, according to the findings released by the agency. The data, collected during the first three months after the ban was implemented, shows that many minors aged between ten and 15 managed to access restricted websites or apps, spending time online at similar rates as before the policy took effect. The study, part of a broader two-year longitudinal research project involving over 4,000 children and families, indicates that nearly all children who already had social media accounts prior to the ban were able to retain them or create new ones within three months. This suggests that the measure has failed to significantly reduce underage usage. According to eSafety, the primary reason for this outcome is the lack of effective age verification mechanisms by the platforms themselves. Many teenagers, particularly those with technical skills, found ways to bypass these restrictions. Before the ban came into force on December 10, 86 percent of surveyed children reported using at least one platform with age restrictions. Three months later, that number dropped slightly to 81 percent. However, the study also noted a decline in parental awareness regarding their children's online activities. Parents reported less knowledge about how their children used social media, raising concerns about digital safety and oversight. Experts involved in the research, along with other independent analysts, have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the ban. A separate survey conducted by three Australian universities earlier this year found that 61 percent of respondents aged 10 and older claimed they were unaffected by the restrictions and could easily circumvent the age verification processes. These findings highlight the challenges faced by regulators in enforcing such policies in an increasingly digital world. The issue of minimum ages for social media use is gaining traction globally. Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have already introduced or are planning to introduce similar regulations. In the Middle East, nations including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom are considering similar measures. France became the first European Union member state to enact a social media ban for users under 15, which is set to take effect in September. The European Commission is also preparing legislation that would prohibit children under 13 from accessing certain platforms, while requiring some websites to be accessible only to users above a specific age. In Germany, a legislative proposal is scheduled for consideration in 2026, aiming to strengthen protections for younger internet users. While these efforts reflect growing international concern over youth exposure to online risks, the Australian study underscores the difficulty of implementing such bans effectively. It raises questions about the role of technology companies in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and the need for more robust safeguards to protect children’s privacy and well-being online.