Australia’s eSafety regulator reports that over eight in ten teens under 16 continue to use social media despite the ban, highlighting major enforcement gaps and prompting calls for stronger safeguards.

Key Takeaways

  • More than 80% of under‑16s still access social media.
  • Weak age‑verification systems are the main loophole.
  • Government removed 4.7 million accounts, yet new ones are created easily.

Introduction

Australia’s internet regulator eSafety released a study showing that the majority of children under 16 keep using social‑media platforms, even though a national ban took effect in December 2025.

Key Findings

The report reveals that 81‑86% of 10‑15‑year‑olds remain active on at least one age‑restricted platform. Daily usage stayed at roughly 58%, only a slight dip from the pre‑ban figure of 60%.

Historical Background

In December 2025, Australia became the world’s first country to prohibit children under 16 from using social media, aiming to curb cyber‑bullying, sexual exploitation, and self‑harm content. A 2023 government‑commissioned study found that four out of five children aged 8‑16 were already online, often starting between ages 10‑12.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the ban’s failure signals a need for more robust technical safeguards, parental education, and policy refinement. Effective age‑verification tools, VPN monitoring, and tracking of emerging platforms will be crucial.

"Closing the age‑verification loophole is the only way to make this ban work," says Dr. Linda Schaefer, digital‑safety expert.
Did You Know?: Although 4.7 million youth accounts were revoked in 2024, a fresh 1.2 million accounts were opened within just two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Have platforms introduced new measures after the ban?
A: Some have rolled out alternative age‑verification tools, but their impact remains limited.

Q2: Is there any legislative amendment underway?
A: The government is considering stricter penalties and tighter verification requirements.