Four in five under-16s in Australia using social media despite ban, study shows
Australia is the first country to ban social media for children.
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Summary
Australia is the first country to ban social media for children. Four in five under-16s in Australia using social media despite ban, study shows. Nevertheless, these results square with recent research from the eSafety Commissioner that showed roughly 7 in 10 children kept their accounts after the law came into effect.
Furthermore, Isolating the effect of the ban The team behind the new study followed 408 adolescents aged 12–16, surveying them just before the law took effect in December 2025 and again three months later. Since December 2025, under-16s have been prohibited from having accounts with many social media platforms including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat. Researchers found 15 to 19 per cent of under-16s reported using fake accounts, while six to 11 per cent accessed platforms through private or incognito browsers.
In addition, Researchers surveyed 408 Australian 12 to 17-year-olds before the restrictions were introduced and then again three months later.
Cross-referenced from 8 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
Australia is the first country to ban social media for children.
reliability low1/5 sourcesFour in five under-16s in Australia using social media despite ban, study shows.
reliability low1/5 sources
Reported detailssecondary facts, each attributed to its source
Nevertheless, these results square with recent research from the eSafety Commissioner that showed roughly 7 in 10 children kept their accounts after the law came into effect.
according to The Conversation - AustraliaIsolating the effect of the ban The team behind the new study followed 408 adolescents aged 12–16, surveying them just before the law took effect in December 2025 and again three months later.
according to The Conversation - AustraliaEarly evidence from Australia suggests 80 per cent of young people are still accessing social media despite the country’s blanket ban
according to The Independent - UK NewsSince December 2025, under-16s have been prohibited from having accounts with many social media platforms including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
according to The Guardian - World +5Researchers found 15 to 19 per cent of under-16s reported using fake accounts, while six to 11 per cent accessed platforms through private or incognito browsers.
according to GB News – Politics +1Researchers surveyed 408 Australian 12 to 17-year-olds before the restrictions were introduced and then again three months later.
according to GB News – Politics +1
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Four in five under-16s in Australia using social media despite ban, study shows.
omitted byRight sidecovered byLeft sideAustralia is the first country to ban social media for children.
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