Australia’s under-16 social media ban shows limited impact on teen usage: study

Australia's landmark ban on social media access for users under the age of 16 has had little immediate impact on how much teenagers use online platforms, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in the British Medical Journal, reported AFP.The law, introduced in December 2025, was designed to shield children from online harms such as cyberbullying, harmful content and what policymakers described as "predatory algorithms" on major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.However, researchers found limited evidence that the restrictions significantly reduced social media usage among teenagers during the first few months after implementation.The study surveyed more than 400 young social media users before the legislation took effect and again three months later. The findings showed little change among users aged 12 to 13, a modest decline among those aged 14 to 15, and an increase in usage among participants aged 16 and above.Researchers said the early phase of the law was marked by incomplete implementation and widespread circumvention. Many underage users reportedly continued accessing platforms by using accounts belonging to older individuals, creating alternative profiles or browsing through private modes and other workarounds.The findings are being closely watched internationally as several countries consider similar measures to limit young people's access to social media. Governments in the United Kingdom, Indonesia, the UAE and New Zealand have either proposed or are evaluating comparable restrictions.Australia's legislation places responsibility on social media companies to verify users' ages and prevent access by those under 16. Platforms that fail to demonstrate reasonable efforts to enforce the rules can face penalties of up to A$49.5 million.Earlier this year, Australian authorities publicly criticised major technology companies, including Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, over concerns about compliance with the new requirements.The country's eSafety Commission has also raised concerns about how some platforms are implementing age-verification measures.Supporters of the legislation argue that excessive social media use can negatively affect young people's mental health and wellbeing, while critics have warned that restrictions may push teenagers toward less regulated corners of the internet.The latest findings do not assess the long-term impact of the law but suggest that enforcement and compliance challenges may determine whether the policy ultimately achieves its intended goals.Also read: EU to step up probe into Meta over ‘addictive design’ concerns