Australian study finds 81% of teens ignore social media ban
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
A survey by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner reveals that six months after a world-first ban on social media for under-16s, 81% of teenagers remain on platforms. The study, released in July 2026, shows 58% use them daily, with no significant drop in engagement. The findings come even as Canberra doubled maximum fines for non-compliance to 100 million Australian dollars in June.
Persistent Teen Usage
According to the eSafety report, three months after the December 2025 ban took effect, 81% of under-16s were still using social media, with 58% logging in daily. The restrictions failed to produce a notable decline in digital engagement among Australian teens. Researchers found that usage rates in March remained almost unchanged from before the law’s introduction.
Age Verification Gaps
The study blamed platforms’ failure to implement effective age checks. About half of teens who kept their accounts said platforms did not verify their age, while others reported that their profiles listed age 16+ or were misidentified as older. eSafety named Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Snapchat, TikTok, and Google (YouTube) as platforms under investigation for potential breaches.
Kazakhstan’s Parallel Debate
Kazakhstan is also drafting legislation to ban social media for children under 16, with the proposal currently under government review. The Australian experience raises questions about the enforceability of such measures, as platforms struggle with age verification globally.
What's Next
Australia’s eSafety is investigating Meta, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube for possible violations, with expanded powers to compel information. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s government is reviewing a similar ban for minors, but the Australian case underscores the challenge of enforcement.
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Australian study finds 81% of teens ignore social media ban
