A recent study indicates that despite a ban on social media for those under 16 in Australia, eight out of every ten young people are still actively using these platforms. Researchers have raised concerns about the effectiveness of age verification measures, noting that many youths are finding ways to bypass the restrictions.
The study, conducted by Australia’s University of Newcastle and published in The BMJ, surveyed 408 children aged 12 to 17 before and after the ban was implemented in December. Results showed that a majority of participants, particularly those under 16, continued to access social media platforms covered by the ban using various methods like self-declaring their age, using fake accounts, or private browsers.
While the ban is relatively new, the study suggests that its impact may not be fully realized for up to a decade. Researchers emphasized the need for investment in education and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Additionally, findings from the Molly Rose Foundation revealed that a significant number of Australian teenagers still maintain access to restricted social media accounts, including TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. The foundation’s CEO, Andy Burrows, criticized the ban’s ineffectiveness in keeping minors off these platforms and called for a more comprehensive strategy to protect young users from online harms.
The proposed ban in the UK, set to include popular platforms like Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram, aims to implement stronger age verification checks. According to a Government spokeswoman, the UK’s approach will go beyond Australia’s model to create more robust safeguards for children online and shape future social norms.