Australia's ban on social media for children under 16 has failed to achieve its intended effect. A new study published in the British Medical Journal by the University of Newcastle reveals that over 85% of adolescents under 16 continued using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Snapchat even after the law took effect. The research compared data collected before and three months after the ban, surveying teens aged 12 to 17.
Self-declared age checks prove ineffective
The primary verification method adopted by platforms was self-declared age, a procedure that showed limited results. Approximately 54-68% of those under 16 simply kept using their accounts by bypassing checks. Among respondents, 24-39% encountered self-declared age prompts, while 13-27% passed verification by uploading a selfie. Authorities in Australia and other countries considering similar laws have criticized this approach for its poor effectiveness.
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Teens employed various circumvention strategies
The study highlights that young people used several techniques to evade the ban. Around 15-19% used fake accounts, while 9-29% used someone else's account. About 11% browsed in private mode, and only a small fraction used a VPN. These data show that without stronger verification mechanisms, legislative restrictions remain easily bypassed. As reported in an analysis of AI model vulnerabilities, digital protection measures must be carefully implemented to prevent large-scale circumvention.
Differential impact by age group
Social media use remained unchanged among 12-13-year-olds, slightly decreased among 14-15-year-olds, and increased among those over 16. This suggests that the ban may have shifted attention to unrestricted age groups without reducing overall usage. Researchers acknowledge the small sample size and reliance on self-reporting, but the accompanying editorial stresses that the signals are clear enough to warrant attention.
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Lessons for countries considering similar measures
Dr. Amrit Kaur Purba, a lecturer at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, commented: "Australia's experience shows that legislating a restriction is not the same as enforcing one: when age assurance relied on self-declared age, most adolescents continued to access restricted platforms. Countries now adopting similar measures, such as the UK, will need effective mechanisms in place from the outset, rather than retrofitting once circumvention is widespread." This analysis echoes challenges seen in Europe, where AI restrictions must be backed by concrete tools to be effective.
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Source: https://www.engadget.com/2202255/australia-social-media-ban-still-not-effective
