Australia's social media ban for teens cuts—but doesn't stop—usage in 2025
Australia's ban on social media for under-16s came into full effect in December 2025. While usage among 13-15-year-olds has dropped, over a fifth of teens are still accessing platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. The law requires companies to block young users or risk heavy fines.
The nationwide restriction was announced in October 2025 and enforced two months later. Platforms now face penalties of up to A$49.5 million if they fail to prevent underage access. Despite this, data from February shows 21.2% of 13-15-year-olds still use TikTok, while 20.3% remain on Snapchat.
Usage of YouTube also fell slightly to 36.9%, though the ban does not stop minors from watching videos without an account. Many teens have bypassed the rules by lying about their age or switching to alternative apps. Australia's internet regulator is tracking compliance and investigating potential breaches.
Other countries have followed with similar plans. India's Karnataka state is preparing a ban affecting around 14 million under-16s, while Spain has proposed raising the age limit to 16. However, no clear usage trends have emerged yet in these regions, as most measures are still being rolled out.
The ban has reduced but not eliminated underage social media use in Australia. Regulators continue to work with platforms to enforce the law. Meanwhile, other nations are watching closely as they consider their own restrictions.
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