NewsBite analysis · Education, Regulation
The Japan Times
Most Australian teens still on social media three months after under-16 ban began, study finds
Following the Australian government's ban on social media platforms for those under 16, a study has found surprising resilience among teenage users, with over 80% still engaging with social media. Despite a decline in account ownership from 52% to 42%, usage frequency remained unchanged for many teens aged 10 to 15. The failure of tech companies to effectively enforce age verification has led to heightened concerns among regulators regarding children's online safety and the effectiveness of such bans.
MonitorConfidence: HighShort term horizon
Published 31 Jul 2026, 06:45 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Over 80% of Australian teens still use social media after age ban.
- Account ownership among teens decreased from 52% to 42%.
- Usage frequency among younger teens remains unchanged.
- Reported reductions in social media use particularly on YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok.
- Parental awareness of children's social media habits has decreased.
Interesting facts
- The ban aimed to enhance child safety on social media but has seen limited effectiveness.
- The regulator's findings highlight significant gaps in age verification by tech firms.