Most Australian teens still online three months after under-16 ban
Summary
More than 80% of Australian teenagers continue to use social media three months after the government banned under-16s from using these platforms. The ban's limited effect is mainly due to poor age checks by social media companies, allowing many children to keep or create accounts despite the law.Key Facts
- The ban on social media use for under-16s started in Australia on December 10, 2025.
- Over 81% of children aged 10 to 15 still used social media three months after the ban.
- About 58% of teenagers reported daily social media use, slightly lower than the 60% before the ban.
- Many children kept accounts because social media companies failed to verify their ages properly.
- Some accounts falsely listed users as 16 or older, bypassing age checks.
- The ban was introduced to protect young people’s mental and physical health.
- Australia’s government acknowledges not expecting full compliance but sees the ban as an important national discussion starter.
- Around “millions of accounts” were reportedly shut down since the ban began.
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