AUSTRALIA'S UNDER-16 SOCIAL MEDIA BAN SHOWS LIMITED EARLY IMPACT

Australia's social media ban for children under 16 has had limited effect three months after taking effect, according to the eSafety Commissioner's first report on the policy. Account ownership among under-16s on age-restricted platforms fell from 52.4 per cent to 42.1 per cent in the period to March 2026. However, 81.5 per cent of children aged 10 to 15 reported still accessing age-restricted services during the same timeframe, a decrease of only 4.4 percentage points from before the ban began in December 2025. The eSafety Commissioner is conducting a two-year study tracking more than 4,100 children and families to assess the ban's outcomes.

The report identified ineffective age verification as the primary reason for continued access. More than half of surveyed children said platforms had not asked them to confirm their age, whilst 37 per cent reported simply entering an age of 16 or above to maintain access. A further 18 per cent said platforms had incorrectly estimated their age as above 16. The restricted platforms include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Threads, Twitch and Kick. Among specific services, Reddit account ownership remained flat at 3.6 per cent, whilst Threads and Kick saw small increases. Usage of platforms outside the restrictions increased, with some children moving to Pinterest and other services.

The findings have potential implications for other nations considering similar restrictions. The eSafety Commissioner's report indicates that account-based bans face significant enforcement challenges without robust age verification systems. The study will continue tracking the same cohort throughout 2026 and 2027 to determine whether effectiveness improves over the longer term.