Most Australian Kids Still on Social Media Despite New Ban

Australia banned social media for under-16s in December 2025 — a world first. Yet a study of 408 young people found 85% of 12-to-15-year-olds still used it three months later. Underage access to Instagram and TikTok actually rose, August data showed. Lawmakers may raise fines to A$99 million. The UK and France have since passed similar bans.