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Australia's Under-16 Social Media Ban Shows Limited Effectiveness
Australia introduced a world‑first ban on social media for users under 16 years old on 10 December 2025, citing concerns for children’s mental and physical health. A three‑month eSafety Commission report released in March 2026 found that more than 80 % of Australian teenagers continued to use platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, with daily usage falling only slightly from about 60 % to 58 %. The study showed that age‑verification systems were largely ineffective: many under‑16s retained existing accounts or created new ones by misrepresenting their age, and account ownership among 10‑15‑year‑olds dropped from roughly 52 % to 42 %. Parental awareness of children’s online habits also declined.
The Australian government defended the policy, with Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh stating that the ban has sparked a cultural shift in parental attitudes and that millions of accounts have been closed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s expectation that the law would increase offline activity was not borne out by the data. The ban has attracted international attention as part of a broader trend: at least 15 countries, including Vietnam, Austria, Canada and France, have introduced or drafted similar restrictions for minors, each with varying approaches such as silent‑mode accounts or age‑based bans.
The mixed results highlight the challenges of enforcing digital age limits and the need for more robust verification mechanisms as other nations consider comparable measures.
Entities
Andrew Leigh · Anthony Albanese · Australia · Australian Government · Social media platforms · United States · Vietnam Government · eSafety · eSafety Commission
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Age‑verification systems were ineffective, allowing many under‑16s to retain or create accounts. independentpress.cc · cathnews.com · www.donanimhaber.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Daily social‑media use among teenagers dropped from about 60 % to 58 % after the ban. cathnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Account ownership among children aged 10‑15 fell from about 52 % to 42 % after the ban. cathnews.com · www.donanimhaber.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] At least 15 countries have introduced or drafted measures to restrict social media for minors, including Australia, Vietnam, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, and others. en.tempo.co
- [● 6 SOURCES] Australia introduced a ban on social media for users under 16 on 10 December 2025. independentpress.cc · influencermagazine.uk · www.tech360.tv · cathnews.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Australian government says the ban has changed cultural conversation and closed millions of accounts. influencermagazine.uk · www.tech360.tv · www.cnbcindonesia.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] More than 80 % of Australian teenagers continued to use social media three months after the ban. independentpress.cc · influencermagazine.uk · www.tech360.tv · cathnews.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Parental awareness of children’s online habits decreased after the ban. independentpress.cc · cathnews.com