Australia defends teen social media ban after study shows most still online
The Australian government is defending its ban on social media for children under 16 despite data showing that most teenagers continue to use these platforms. Officials argue the law is a necessary step to shift the national conversation, even if immediate compliance is not absolute.
Why it matters
This policy represents a global test case for government intervention in digital safety and parental control over children's online habits.
Australia’s government mounted a defence on Saturday of its world-first ban on social media for children under 16, even as fresh data revealed the scale of the challenge confronting the landmark policy.
The defence came a day after the nation’s internet regulator found that more than eight in ten Australian teenagers were still using social media three months after the restrictions took effect, underscoring the difficulty of policing a digital world woven into daily life.
Australia introduced the landmark ban in December on concerns about the impact of social media on the mental and physical health of children. The ban, being closely watched overseas, has drawn criticism from social media companies, mostly based in the U.S.
Confronted with the regulator’s findings, Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, argued the ban had already reshaped the national debate.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in