Most under-16s still accessing banned social platforms

Most Australian under-16s are still accessing banned social media platforms six months after the policy came into effect, according to new research from Pureprofile.

The study found 78% of under-16s are still using banned platforms, down only slightly from 84% in 2025, while public support for the policy remains high at 76%.

The findings are based on Pureprofile’s second wave of research into the ban, surveying 1,025 parents, teachers and young Australians.

The report found enforcement is largely falling to parents, with 57% saying they have tried to enforce the ban. Of those, 42% said they found it difficult.

Age-verification measures also appear inconsistent. Only 31% of under-16s reported undergoing face-scanning age verification, and about half of those said they were able to pass as over 16.

Two in five under-16s said they had tried to get around the ban, while 43% of parents said their children had attempted a workaround.

Martin Filz, CEO of Pureprofile, said the findings show many of the concerns raised before the ban have played out.

“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,” Filz said.

“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.”

Despite enforcement challenges, the research also found signs of positive behavioural change.

Seventy-seven per cent of parents reported positive impacts from the ban, up from 47% in 2025, with children spending more time on outdoor activities, reading, sport and other offline hobbies.

But Pureprofile said some children are shifting activity to other platforms rather than leaving online spaces altogether, including YouTube Kids and Discord. The report also found some banned platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, saw increased usage among 8- to 12-year-olds in parent and child reporting.

Online safety risks also remain. Nearly three in 10 13- to 15-year-olds and 37% of 8- to 12-year-olds reported exposure to violent or graphic content. The report also found 35% of 8- to 15-year-olds had been exposed to bullying, harassment or hateful content.

Filz said other countries considering similar restrictions could learn from Australia’s experience.

“Ultimately, policy alone cannot determine success; it requires parental motivation and ability to effectively restrict harmful social media use,” he said.