- Australia implemented legislation barring children from social media platforms in December.
- Youngsters' use of social media fell across the board when the legal restrictions were first implemented, according to data from parental control app Qustodio.
- Social media activity among under-16s has climbed, even approaching pre-ban levels for some apps.
- Data from Qustodio shows TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat usage among 10-12 and 13-15 year-olds is on the rise.
- An Australian Senate committee recommended passage of legislation to give the online-safety regulator stronger powers and double maximum penalties for breaches of the social media ban for users under 16.
- The report acknowledged concerns that the proposed information-gathering powers are broad enough to apply to children and parents, while also noting evidence that many under-16s remain on social media and that the restrictions may be producing unintended harms.
- Data from Qustodio indicates that in the case of video-sharing site TikTok, 25.9 percent of 13-15 year-olds are still using the app, just over a percentage point lower than before the ban came into force.
- Use among 10-12 year olds was just 0.06 percentage points below where it was before the ban.
- Experts suggest that children could be accessing these platforms with VPNs or obfuscating their ages, indicating that the restrictions may not be effective.
- Australian officials have stated that the ban is designed to protect children from online bullying and predatory algorithms.
- A peer-reviewed study published in June found little evidence to suggest teenagers have turned away from social media as a consequence of the ban.
Australian under-16s are increasingly using social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with usage rates approaching pre-ban levels. A report from parental control app Qustodio indicates that 25.9% of 13-15 year-olds still use TikTok, just slightly below pre-ban figures.
Legislation implemented in December 2022 aimed to protect children from online dangers, yet many remain active on these platforms.
The Australian Senate committee has recommended stronger enforcement powers for the online-safety regulator, including doubled penalties for breaches of the ban.
“They could be accessing these platforms with VPNs, or obfuscating their ages,” said Yasmin London, Global Online Safety Expert for Qustodio.
The report also highlights that children are turning to messaging apps like WhatsApp, which are not covered by the ban.6
“One in three children aged between 13 and 17 are now spending at least five hours on social media a day,” warned ACT leader David Seymour, emphasizing the negative impacts on mental health and family life.
The proposed legislation would require platforms to implement age verification measures, with penalties reaching up to 10% of a company's global revenue for non-compliance.
Education Minister Erica Stanford stated, “The bill places legal obligations on platforms... and holds them responsible for understanding and reducing the risks they create for children.”
“Qustodio data shows TikTok usage among 13-15 year-olds is 25.9%, just over a percentage point below pre-ban levels, while 10-12 year-olds are only 0.06 points below. Yasmin London, Qustodio's global online safety expert, suggests children may be using VPNs or obfuscating ages, or the restrictions simply aren't working.”
