Australia admits its social media ban for minors under 16 is failing, with over 85% of teens still using platforms.
The government is doubling fines to $99 million AUD and expanding surveillance powers despite enforcement challenges.
A BMJ study found no substantive reduction in teen social media use, with daily use unchanged among 12-to-13-year-olds.
Age verification is easily circumvented, with two-thirds of platforms only requiring users to self-declare their age.
Australia’s regulator compared enforcing the ban to fencing the ocean, warning the law creates new privacy and free expression risks.
When Australia passed the world’s first law banning children under 16 from social media platforms in December, global observers watched closely. Now, nearly seven months later, the Australian government is admitting what critics suspected all along: the ban isn’t working, and they’re simply doubling down on a failing strategy.
Read Full Article: https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-06-29-australia-under-16-social-media-ban.html
