Australia's social media ban for under-16s shows limited early impact: Study
Sydney, June 25
Australia's world-first social media age restrictions for users under 16 have had a limited early impact on adolescent use, a new study has revealed.
Researchers found more than 85 per cent of under-16s continued to use restricted platforms, with many accessing services through their own accounts, as well as alternative or shared accounts, according to a statement from Australia's University of Newcastle (UON) released on Thursday.
The UON-led study tracked 408 adolescents aged 12 to 17 before and three months after the introduction of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which came into effect in December, 2025, and requires major platforms, including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat, to take reasonable steps to block underage account holders, reports Xinhua news agency.
Around two-thirds reported encountering age verification measures, most commonly self-declared age or photo-based checks, according to the study published in the British Medical Journal.
"There was also clear evidence of circumvention -- for example, using fake accounts or accounts belonging to friends or family," said the study's lead investigator, UON public health researcher Courtney Barnes.
The study showed that around 15-19 per cent of adolescents reported using a fake account to access platforms. Between 9 per cent and 29 per cent reported accessing platforms through someone else's account. Up to 11 per cent reported using private browser modes to bypass restrictions.
Overall usage patterns showed little change. Daily social media use remained stable among 12-13-year-olds, declined slightly among 14-15-year-olds, and increased among those over 16, it said.
"This is one of the first evaluations of its kind, which is important because other countries are watching Australia closely," Barnes said, adding the findings provided an important early snapshot of policy implementation.
Australia's introduction of a social media ban for under-16s has attracted widespread global attention. Countries including Britain, France, Spain, Greece, Norway and Turkey have since moved to advance similar legislation aimed at strengthening controls on children and young people's use of social media platforms.
Co-author, UON behavioural scientist Professor Luke Wolfenden, noted that effectiveness is likely to depend on how robustly and consistently age assurance systems are enforced over time.
The research team acknowledges that the full impact of the legislation may take years to emerge and that longer-term evaluation will be critical.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I think this is a good first step even if not perfect. At least they are trying something, unlike many countries including ours. But the problem is deeper - parents need to be involved too. In Indian households, many parents don't even know what apps their kids use. Education is key also.
Interesting study but only 408 participants seems small. And three months is too short to draw conclusions. They need to track this over years. Kids are smart - if they want to access social media, they'll find ways around any ban. The tech companies need to be held more accountable.
As an Indian parent living abroad, I can say this is a complex issue. Our kids in India are exposed to social media even younger. The Australian approach is well-intentioned but naive. The real solution is teaching children critical thinking and digital safety from primary school itself.
The ban is a joke if 85% still access. These platforms like TikTok and Instagram are designed to be addictive - they are not going to police themselves properly. In India, we have seen how algorithms push harmful content. The govt should force social media companies to implement real age verification, not just self-declaration.
I'm skeptical of all these bans. They rarely work. Better to invest in education programs and mental health support. But I appreciate Australia trying something different. Other countries should wait for proper long-term data before copying this approach blindly.
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