Social Media Bans for Under-16s Questioned as Study Highlights Limited Effectiveness

As more countries consider banning social media access for users under the age of 16, a recent study has raised questions about the effectiveness of such measures.

A survey conducted by the Molly Rose Foundation, based on responses from 1,050 Australian children aged 12 to 15, found that 61% of those who previously had access to restricted platforms still maintain at least one active account despite the ban.

Australia became the first country to implement a nationwide restriction on social media use for under-16s on December 10. However, the study found no clear evidence that the policy has had a positive or negative impact on children’s well-being since its introduction.

The findings also revealed that 70% of children attempting to access restricted platforms reported that bypassing the ban was easy, raising concerns about enforcement challenges.

Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, warned that the results highlight potential risks in adopting similar policies elsewhere, particularly in countries like the UK.

Meanwhile, the Australian government has launched investigations into major social media platforms—including Snap, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—for possible non-compliance with the new regulations.

Australia’s eSafety authority is expected to finalize these investigations and decide on enforcement actions by mid-2026. Under current laws, authorities can issue fines, seek court injunctions, and impose penalties of up to $35 million on companies found in violation.