78% of under 16’s continue to access social media platforms, despite Australia’s ban, according to global data and insights company, Pureprofile Limited.
The report found under-16s were "switching platforms" rather than leaving online spaces altogether, such as moving to YouTube Kids and Discord.
Banned platforms were identified as failing to guard against under-16s, with age verification measures reportedly inconsistent in both reach and effectiveness.
The report found only 31% of children had undergone face-scanning age verification at any point, with close to half of those saying they were able to pass as older than 16.
“Six months post-ban, the findings suggest many of the concerns raised before the ban have materialised,” said Martin Filz, CEO at Pureprofile.
“While support for the policy remains strong, parents are under overwhelming pressure to enforce it - fighting to control a highly tech-savvy generation accessing platforms via browser instead of in-app, using their friends' accounts, signing up with fake birthdays and more.
“It's clear the ban's success or failure now rests firmly on what's happening at home, at least until enforcement technology catches up to the reality on the ground. As the report suggests, success is generally strongest where families have the capacity and digital fluency to take an approach that balances relationship, education, sensible oversight and empowerment.”
Despite the ban's inconsistent enforcement, parents and children have reported participating in more outdoor and offline activities, with 77% of parents finding the bans impacts positive.
Both parents and children have said they are now prioritising offline activities like reading, sports and creative hobbies over screen time while others are gaming, watching TV more or choosing to watch YouTube under supervision.
“Even though the social media ban does require refining for a more consistent performance - as all new technology does - it’s also encouraging to see families taking the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and offline,” said Filz.
“Some children undoubtedly miss online interactions with their friends, but many are also making full use of their extra time for in-person socialising with family and friends.”
Of the under-16s remaining online, 29% of the 13 to 15-year-olds, and more than a third of 8 to 12-year-olds, reported exposure to violent or graphic content.
35% of 8 to 15-year-olds reported exposure to content deemed bullying, harassment or hateful.
Of the parents who reported their child had been exposed to inappropriate content, more than 80% said they were more likely to enforce the ban themselves.
"Other countries have been studying Australia’s progress with the ban and have considered emulating it, and this data has good takeaways for them to refine their strategy,” said Filz.
“Ultimately, policy alone cannot determine success; it requires parental motivation and ability to effectively restrict harmful social media use.”
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