Why young people say the social media ban is not working six months after it was introduced
Six months after Australia’s government introduced a world-first social media ban for under-16s, 70% of surveyed parents reported their children still had active accounts, with teens citing easy workarounds like face-scanning bypasses. Experts and young users alike argue the ban’s effectiveness is undermined by inconsistent age-verification methods and weak enforcement by social media platforms.
Australia’s landmark social media ban for under-16s, introduced six months ago, is failing to curb access, according to a new compliance update from the eSafety Commissioner. The report found that 70% of 898 parents surveyed said their children still had active social media accounts, despite the law requiring platforms to verify users’ ages. Young people interviewed by *BTN High* confirmed widespread bypassing of age checks. Ned (12), Jaxson (13), and Giselle (16) all reported that peers continued using social media, with some admitting to using fake identities or manipulated photos to pass face-scanning verification. Testing by *BTN High* revealed that Yoti, the facial analysis service used by TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, incorrectly classified two 14-year-olds as close to 18. Users also claimed they could trick the system with printed photos or sibling faces. Yoti defended its technology, stating it offers anti-spoofing measures like live-ness detection but does not mandate their use by platforms. The company noted that Australia has not required safety buffers—such as raising the age threshold to 19—to improve accuracy. Experts, including Tony Allen of the Age Check Certification Scheme, argued that alternative methods like government ID checks could be more reliable, though no system is foolproof. The failure of the ban is partly attributed to inconsistent enforcement. Many teens reported never being asked to verify their age, suggesting platforms are not uniformly applying checks. Iain Corby of the Age Verification Providers Association acknowledged that face scanning is the most common method due to its convenience, but its effectiveness depends on how rigorously it is implemented. Critics argue that the ban’s shortcomings highlight broader challenges in regulating digital platforms. While Australia’s approach is the first of its kind globally, its success hinges on stricter compliance from social media companies and more robust age-verification technologies. Without these, experts warn, underage access will persist despite legislative efforts.
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