Australia's Youth Social Media Ban Struggles With Low Compliance
Australia's ban on social media for children under 16 faces high evasion rates as over 80 percent of youth continue using restricted platforms.
The Parliament of Australia implemented a ban on social media for children under 16 in December 2025, a policy that has since been adopted by more than two dozen other nations, including Indonesia and Malaysia.
Early data suggests the ban is failing to achieve its goals. A study by Qustodio found that over 81 percent of children under 16 continue to use restricted platforms, with TikTok usage specifically increasing among children aged 10 to 12. Data from the eSafety Commissioner further indicates that there has been no significant increase in offline activity among youth.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the policy as a method to move children "off their devices and onto the footy field." However, researchers and critics argue the ban is ineffective because it fails to address the addictive nature of social media algorithms and the high cost of extracurricular activities.
In a separate but related development, Meta Platforms Inc. agreed to a settlement of up to $18 billion in the United States to resolve lawsuits. These funds are earmarked for summer and after-school programs.
