The majority of Australian teenagers continue to use social media three months after the ban for those under 16.

      A recent study by the eSafety Commissioner reveals that most Australian teenagers continue to use social media three months after the country's pioneering under-16 ban was implemented. According to the research, the percentage of teens using social media has only decreased from 86% to 81%, despite legal requirements for platforms to exclude minors, highlighting a disparity between the law's strictness on paper and its enforcement in reality.

      The study, which surveyed over 4,000 children and families, compared usage habits before and after the ban took effect on December 10, 2025. The data indicates only a slight decrease; social media use among teenagers dropped by five percentage points, while the number of those with accounts fell from 52% to 42%. These declines are considered significant by the regulator, but they still fall short of the ban's intended outcomes.

      The issue seems to stem from enforcement rather than demand. About half of the teenagers still using the apps reported that age verification was rarely checked, and many either claimed to be 16 or older or bypassed ineffective verification systems. The eSafety Commissioner attributed this failure to the companies, stating that many under-16s who had accounts prior to the ban managed to keep or create new accounts, highlighting a lack of robust age verification rather than teenage rebellion.

      Some platforms did experience more notable declines. Significant reductions in use were observed on Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and Meta's Facebook and Instagram, although the study noted that Reddit use actually increased as some teens switched to that platform.

      These findings align with previous warnings regarding the ban's rollout, as independent testers had already discovered issues with age checks allowing children to continue using the platforms.

      The Australian government remains committed to the law, framing it as a long-term change in culture rather than a quick solution. In June, it increased maximum penalties for non-compliance and enhanced the eSafety Commission's powers to gather information, preparing for stricter enforcement.

      Five platforms—Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, Google, and Reddit—are currently under investigation to determine if their age verification processes violate the law, with potential fines amounting to millions of dollars.

      This scrutiny follows the regulator's discovery that several major platforms were not adhering to the ban, which may lead to potential court action.

      The political implications are significant, as Australia’s ban is the most extensive effort to restrict minors from social media, prompting other governments worldwide, from the EU to Vietnam, to consider similar measures based on its outcomes.

      Currently, the data presents two perspectives: ministers can highlight the actual drop in accounts and daily usage, while critics can point to the fact that four out of five teens are still able to log on, suggesting the ban is not effectively enforced.

      The nuanced reality is that both viewpoints hold validity. The law has altered behaviors to some extent, but has not achieved the thorough exclusion it intended, setting the stage for further debate on whether stricter enforcement can bridge the gap.

      The study ultimately clarifies the current trajectory. Three months post-implementation, the ban is neither the disappointment some critics had feared nor the grand success its creators hoped for, placing the onus on the platforms to demonstrate that their age verification systems are effective.