{
  "id": 3394780,
  "title": "Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s despite ban",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-despite-ban",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-26T01:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/australia-social-media-use-under-16-ban-6341291"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Australian under-16s are increasingly using social media apps despite a ban. According to data from parental control app Qustodio, the use of TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat among 10-12 year olds and 13-15 year olds is on the rise.\n\nThe ban, implemented in December, initially led to a decrease in social media activity among youngsters. However, usage has since climbed and is approaching pre-ban levels for some apps. Specifically, 25.9 percent of 13-15 year olds are still using TikTok, which is just over a percentage point lower than before the ban. Among 10-12 year olds, TikTok usage is only 0.06 percentage points below pre-ban levels, according to Qustodio.\n\nChildren may be accessing these platforms using VPNs or by hiding their ages. Alternatively, they may simply be finding ways to circumvent the restrictions. Additionally, Qustodio's data shows that children are increasingly turning to messaging platform WhatsApp, which is not affected by the ban.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban-data",
        "published": "2026-08-26T01:05:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban",
        "published": "2026-08-26T01:18:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban-data-3407009",
        "published": "2026-08-26T02:25:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}