Australia's Under-16 Social Media Ban Shows Minimal Early Impact, Regulator Says

Over 80% of Australian children under 16 still use social media three months after the country's landmark ban took effect on December 10, 2025. Regulator eSafety reports daily usage fell only slightly, from 60% to 58%. Roughly half of children with accounts said platforms never verified their age. The government defends the ban as a long-term intervention, not an overnight fix.