UNICEF Raises Alarm as Teens Continue Using Social Media Despite Australia’s Under-16 Ban
Three months after Australia’s under-16 social media restrictions were introduced, the practical impact on young users appears to remain limited, according to early experiences shared by teenagers navigating the new system.
Since the law came into effect on 10 December 2025, major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat have implemented age-assurance measures such as facial recognition scans and behavioural analysis tools. These systems are intended to prevent underage access; however, in practice, they are reported to be easily completed and inconsistently enforced.
From accounts provided by two 14-year-olds, verification prompts are typically acknowledged and completed within seconds, with little disruption to access. In many cases, access to platforms continues without significant barriers being encountered, and full exclusion from social media does not appear to be commonly experienced among peers.
From a child protection and safeguarding standpoint, this suggests that access-based restrictions alone may not provide a consistently reliable barrier. The ability of digitally literate young people to navigate verification processes highlights potential limitations in current enforcement approaches.
In addition, exposure to online content does not appear to have changed substantially. Harmful material, including violent imagery and misinformation, is still being encountered by young users, indicating that content moderation systems and algorithmic distribution mechanisms remain largely unchanged despite the introduction of access controls.
While initial expectations among young people included significant disruption to communication and social interaction, routines have largely continued as before. Social media continues to function as a key space for maintaining relationships, particularly where friendships are geographically dispersed.
It has also been noted that young people were not extensively involved in shaping the policy, and that clearer communication around its purpose and implementation may have improved understanding and engagement.
Therefore, the early evidence suggests that while regulatory steps have been introduced, safeguarding outcomes may remain dependent on broader structural changes. These include more robust verification systems, improved content governance, platform accountability, and greater inclusion of children’s perspectives in the development of digital policies intended to affect them.
