Most Australian Teens Still Active on Social Media Despite Under-16 Ban

More than three months after Australia introduced its landmark ban on social media use for children under 16, the majority of teenagers are still accessing popular platforms, according to a new report by the country's online safety regulator, eSafety.

The study found that more than 81 percent of children aged 10 to 15 continued using at least one age-restricted social media platform, only slightly lower than the 86 percent recorded before the ban took effect. Around 58 percent of teenagers also reported using social media every day, showing little change from pre-ban levels.

According to eSafety, many young users were able to bypass the restrictions because social media companies failed to implement effective age-verification systems. Nearly half of those who kept their accounts said they were never asked to verify their age, while others reported registering with older ages or passing inaccurate age checks.

The Australian government introduced the law to protect children from the potential mental and physical health risks linked to excessive social media use. The policy has attracted international attention, with several countries considering similar measures.

Despite the regulator's findings, Australian officials defended the ban, saying it has already encouraged greater awareness among parents and led to the closure of millions of underage accounts. They acknowledged that full compliance was never expected but argued the law remains an important step in protecting young people online.

The report also found little change in teenagers' participation in physical activities, arts, family time, or community events since the restrictions came into force.

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