After Australia implemented the world’s first legislation banning social media use for children under 16, new data from parental control software shows social media activity among this group is rising again, nearing levels seen before the ban.
- Social media use among Australian under-16s rebounding post-ban
- TikTok usage among 13-15 year-olds remains close to pre-ban levels
- WhatsApp use is increasing, unaffected by the ban
What happened
In December, Australia introduced legislation prohibiting children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. The aim was to shield young users from online harms such as bullying and harmful algorithmic content. Initial data reported a decline in under-16 social media usage following the ban.
However, recent anonymized data from Qustodio, a parental control app, shows that social media use among children aged 10 to 15 has increased since the initial drop. Usage of popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat is rising again, with some age groups returning close to their pre-ban usage levels.
Why it matters
The resurgence in underage social media use raises questions about the effectiveness of such strict regulatory measures. It suggests that despite well-intentioned policies, children may be using workarounds such as VPNs or falsifying ages to access prohibited platforms. The data highlights the challenge of enforcing age restrictions online.
The findings also illustrate ongoing concerns about digital safety for younger users. While the legislation aims to protect children from risks like predatory algorithms and cyberbullying, the persistence of social platform engagement underlines the need for multifaceted approaches to online child protection beyond bans.
What to watch next
Researchers, regulators, and policymakers will be closely monitoring how these trends evolve, including whether usage stabilizes or continues to rise. The Australian government and other countries with similar laws may consider supplementing bans with improved education, parental tools, or platform accountability measures.
New Zealand recently announced plans to introduce penalties for major social media firms that do not comply with protective regulations, potentially signaling a regional shift toward stricter enforcement. How social media companies respond and adapt to these emerging legal frameworks will also be critical to watch.