85% of Australian 12-to-15-Year-Olds Still on Social Media Despite Under-16 Ban

A study of 408 adolescents found 85% of Australians aged 12–15 still used social media three months after Australia's world-first under-16 ban took effect in December 2025. Data published in August showed underage usage of Instagram and TikTok rising. A parliamentary inquiry has examined doubling maximum penalties to A$99 million. The UK and France have since followed Australia with similar restrictions.