Social media use rebounds among Australian children despite under-16 ban

Sydney, August 26 - Despite a world-leading ban on children's use of social media, Australian kids are increasing their time spent on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, according to data gathered by parental control software company Qustodio. Australia implemented the ban in December, with other countries such as the UK and France following suit.

When the restrictions were first put in place, data showed a decline in children's social media use across the board. However, since then, usage has climbed back up to pre-ban levels for some apps. Among 10-12 year olds and 13-15 year olds, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat usage is on the rise. For TikTok specifically, 25.9% of 13-15 year-olds are still using the app, only slightly lower than before the ban.

Among 10-12 year olds, usage is just 0.06 percentage points lower than pre-ban levels. Yasmin London, Qustodio's Global Online Safety Expert, suggested that children might be accessing these platforms through VPNs or by falsifying their ages. Alternatively, it could simply be that the restrictions are not effective. The data also revealed that children are increasingly using WhatsApp, an app not affected by the ban.

Australian officials claim the ban aims to shield children from online bullying and "predatory algorithms." A study by Australian researchers, published in June, found little evidence that teenagers have avoided social media due to the ban. New Zealand's government announced this week it would introduce legislation that could fine companies like Meta up to 10% of their global revenue if they fail to comply.