Four Months After the Ban on Social Networks for Minors Under 16, Results Are Modest

Four months after the introduction of the ban on access to social networks for users under 16 years old, Australia has provided the first concrete data on the effectiveness of the measure. The available evidence indicates results that are lower than initial expectations, with a large portion of minors continuing to use the platforms without particular obstacles.

According to research conducted by the Molly Rose Foundation, 61% of Australian users aged 12 to 15 who were already registered before the law came into effect still have access to at least one account. This data highlights how the implemented control systems are insufficient to ensure compliance with the new rules.

In detail, the main platforms show similar percentages of minor user retention. TikTok and YouTube each register 53% of active logins, while Instagram stands at 52%. These figures indicate a limited capacity to detect and block non-compliant accounts.

One of the most relevant aspects concerns the operation of age verification systems. In several cases, younger users have circumvented controls through relatively simple techniques, such as altering appearance during facial scanning, using VPNs, or sharing identity with other users. However, the report emphasizes that in the majority of cases, it was not necessary to resort to tricks, as the platforms were unable to automatically detect users below the minimum age threshold.

The collected data shows that 64% of YouTube users, 61% of Snapchat users, and about 60% on Instagram and TikTok report that no action has been taken for the removal or deactivation of their profiles. This element reinforces the hypothesis that platforms have not yet adopted all the measures required by the regulations.

On the perceived safety front, the results are equally significant. 51% of respondents claim that the law has not changed their level of online safety, while 14% even report a deterioration. It is evident that from this perspective, the reform has not produced the desired effects, although the reason is not the reform itself but rather the platforms' failure to comply.

The Australian experience fits into an increasingly active international context on this front. Countries like Greece, France, Spain, Austria, and Indonesia have already introduced similar restrictions or are considering similar measures. Initiatives are also emerging in the United States at the state level, with prospects for broader interventions in the future.

In the United Kingdom, the results of the study have fueled political debate about the need to strengthen the existing regulatory framework. Attention is particularly focused on introducing more effective tools for protecting minors and on stricter obligations for digital platforms.