An observational study conducted by the University of Newcastle in Australia suggests that current legislation aimed at restricting minors’ access to digital platforms may face significant challenges in enforcement. The research examined 408 individuals between the ages of 12 and 17, yielding findings regarding the usage patterns of social media among young Australians. The findings indicate that, even in the period following regulatory changes, a substantial majority—over 80%—of individuals under the age of 16 continued to utilize social media platforms.
This data comes as Australia prepares to implement stricter guidelines, with regulations set to prohibit accounts for those under 16 on major platforms, including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, JUTV, and Snipet, beginning in December 2025. The study concluded that the current legal framework designed to curb minors’ media consumption is encountering difficulties with practical application. Specifically, the research highlighted “limited implementation, incomplete enforcement, and significant circumvention of the restrictions on social media.”
Australia is noted as the first country to institute such comprehensive prohibitions on child access to social media.
However, the evidence gathered suggests that the technical and behavioral aspects of regulating digital access are complex. The results underscore a gap between legislative mandates and actual compliance among the target demographic, prompting further discussion regarding the efficacy of age verification and platform accountability in the digital age.
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