One-Fifth of Australian Teens Still Use TikTok and Snapchat
Australia’s Social Media Ban for Minors: A Mixed Outcome
Australia introduced a significant policy change in December, banning social media platforms from allowing users under the age of 16. This move aimed to protect young people from the potential harms associated with online engagement. However, recent data has revealed that one-fifth of Australian teenagers under 16 are still using social media two months after the ban took effect, prompting questions about the effectiveness of the age-gating measures in place.
According to a report by Qustodio, a provider of parental control software, the number of 13-to-15-year-olds using TikTok and Snapchat—two of the most popular platforms among Australian teens—decreased after the ban was implemented. Despite this drop, more than 20% of teens in this age group continued to use these apps. The data, collected from Australian families between late 2024 and February, highlights the ongoing challenges in enforcing the new regulations.
This is among the first sets of data showing the impact of the ban on youth online behavior. While the Australian government and at least two university studies are monitoring the effects of the policy, no official data has been released yet. Qustodio’s report noted that “among children whose parents haven’t blocked access, a meaningful number continue to use restricted platforms in the months following the ban.”
The ban mandates that platforms such as Meta’s Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, Google’s YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat must block users under 16 or face hefty fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$35 million). The eSafety Commissioner, the internet regulator, has stated that platforms will be given time to adapt, with enforcement actions reserved for systemic non-compliance.
Despite the regulations, some platforms have not provided immediate comments on the situation. A representative for Snapchat was unavailable for comment, and a TikTok spokesperson declined to respond.
Changes in Platform Usage
The Qustodio data indicates notable changes in platform usage among Australian teens. The percentage of Australians aged 13-15 using Snapchat dropped by 13.8 percentage points, reaching 20.3% from November to February. Similarly, the number of teens using TikTok fell by 5.7 percentage points to 21.2%.
YouTube usage among this age group also saw a decline, with a one percentage point drop to 36.9%. However, the data did not clarify whether these users were logged into accounts. It is worth noting that the Australian ban allows people of all ages to use YouTube without logging in, which may explain some of the observed trends.
Typically, Australian teenage social media use declines during the long summer school break in December and January. However, the data showed a steeper decrease compared to the previous year, suggesting that the ban had an impact. That said, the report also mentioned that “some dips seen in December-January are slowly beginning to recover.”
Concerns About Unregulated Platforms
One of the main concerns following the ban was that teenagers might shift their attention to unregulated platforms. However, the data does not indicate a significant migration to such platforms. WhatsApp, for instance, recorded a small increase in usage among 13-15-year-olds.
Overall, while the ban has led to a reduction in social media use among minors, the persistence of usage among a significant portion of the target demographic raises important questions about the effectiveness of current age verification methods. As governments worldwide consider similar policies, the Australian experience provides valuable insights into both the challenges and the potential outcomes of such regulatory measures.
