All articles tagged with #under 16 ban
A regulator report shows more than 80% of Australian teens under 16 remain online three months after the ban, with platforms' weak age checks allowing many to retain or create accounts; daily use barely declined and parental awareness waned, prompting the government to defend the policy as a public health measure despite widespread circumvention.
Australia will double the penalties for social media platforms that fail to keep under-16s off their services, increasing the maximum fine from 49.5 million to 99 million AUD and granting the eSafety Commissioner stronger enforcement powers. The government cites ongoing evasion via older accounts, fake profiles, and private browsers, and is targeting Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. Critics say evidence on the ban’s effectiveness is mixed, while regulators insist platforms must take reasonable steps, including age checks and possible government ID verification, to protect minors.
The UK’s plan to ban under-16s from social media to protect children is met with worry by teen creators who say the move could stifle budding careers and erase opportunities found on platforms. They cite how social media helped them develop talents and connect with fans, while supporters emphasize safety against predators and cyberbullying. The debate echoes Australia’s approach, with details for older teens to follow next month.
Around 4.7 million under-16 accounts have been removed since the December 2025 ban, but teens report simple workarounds to regain access, raising questions about enforcement, potential shifts to less-regulated platforms, and ongoing privacy concerns as researchers warn the policy may create a false sense of security.