Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban

In December, Australia enacted legislation prohibiting children under 16 from using social media platforms, a move mirrored by the UK, France, and other nations. Despite the ban, data from parental control app Qustodio indicates a surge in social media use among Australian under-16s. Following the legal restrictions, overall social media usage initially declined; however, it has since rebounded, nearing pre-ban figures for certain apps.

Notably, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat have seen increased usage among 10-12 year olds and 13-15 year olds. For TikTok, 25.9% of 13-15 year-olds remain active, marginally below pre-ban levels. Among 10-12 year-olds, usage stands just 0.06 percentage points shy of pre-ban levels. Parental control software company Qustodio's expert, Yasmin London, suggests children might be circumventing the ban using VPNs or by misrepresenting their age.

Alternatively, they may simply be accessing these platforms regardless of the restrictions' effectiveness. Additionally, the data reveals a growing reliance on WhatsApp, an app unimpacted by the ban. The Australian government asserts the ban aims to shield children from online bullying and manipulative algorithms. However, a June study by Australian researchers found scant evidence to support a decline in teenagers' social media consumption.

New Zealand is also contemplating legislation that could levy fines up to 10% of global revenue on platforms like Meta for non-compliance.