Background to Australia's Landmark Social Media Age Restriction
Australia became the first nation in the world to introduce a national minimum age of 16 for social media accounts through the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024. The legislation, which took effect on 10 December 2025, requires designated platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users under 16 from holding accounts. Platforms covered include major services such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, Snapchat and YouTube. The policy places the compliance burden on the companies themselves rather than penalising children or parents directly, with potential fines reaching A$49.5 million for non-compliance.
The measure was positioned as a proactive step to protect young people from the documented risks associated with early and excessive social media exposure, including impacts on mental health, sleep patterns and attention spans. Implementation began with platforms reporting the removal or restriction of millions of accounts in the initial weeks.
The University of Newcastle Observational Study
A peer-reviewed observational study conducted by researchers at the University of Newcastle has provided one of the first rigorous evaluations of the policy's early effects. Published in the British Medical Journal, the research examined social media use among 408 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years three months after the Act came into force. The study aimed to assess changes in usage patterns, experiences with age verification processes, circumvention behaviours and any perceived shifts in daily routines.
Lead researchers collected data through surveys and interviews, focusing on self-reported behaviours while also considering objective indicators where available. The timing of the research allowed for an assessment of initial compliance and adaptation by both platforms and young users.
Key Findings on Usage Patterns
The study concluded there was insufficient evidence that the legislation produced any substantial early reduction in social media use among those under 16. More than 80 percent of participants under the minimum age reported continued access to platforms, with figures reaching nearly 85 percent in some analyses. Daily usage time showed only minimal declines, suggesting that many adolescents maintained similar levels of engagement despite the restrictions.
Researchers highlighted limited implementation and incomplete compliance as primary factors. A substantial proportion of underage users continued accessing accounts through various means, resulting in what the authors described as widespread circumvention of the intended restrictions.
Methods of Circumvention and Age Verification Challenges
Participants described multiple straightforward ways to bypass age checks, including the creation of fake accounts with fabricated birth dates and the use of private browsing modes or virtual private networks. Age verification systems on many platforms were characterised as suboptimal, allowing easy workarounds that did not require advanced technical skills.
The study noted that while some platforms deactivated large numbers of accounts in the early phase, ongoing access remained high. This pattern indicates that initial account purges did not translate into sustained reductions in active underage usage.
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
Platform Compliance and Regulatory Updates
Parallel reporting from Australia's eSafety Commissioner provided additional context on industry response. Compliance updates released in March 2026 indicated that over 4.7 million accounts had been removed, deactivated or restricted by mid-January, with further actions in subsequent months. However, the regulator also identified compliance concerns across several platforms, including inadequate verification processes and insufficient ongoing monitoring.
Surveys of parents conducted around the same period found that approximately 70 percent reported their children under 16 still maintained active accounts. These figures align closely with the University of Newcastle findings and underscore the gap between account removals and actual behavioural change.
Further details are available from the official eSafety compliance report at esafety.gov.au.
Perspectives from Adolescents and Families
Qualitative elements of the research captured how young people and their families experienced the changes. Many adolescents reported that social media remained integral to their social connections, school-related communication and entertainment. Some described feeling that restrictions were easy to navigate and did not significantly alter their routines.
Parents expressed mixed views, with some welcoming the intent behind the policy while noting practical difficulties in enforcement at home. The study highlighted that displacement to other online activities or non-social-media platforms was not widely reported in the early period.
Broader Implications for Adolescent Wellbeing
The findings raise important questions about the effectiveness of age-based restrictions as a standalone intervention. While the policy seeks to reduce exposure to potential harms, the observed circumvention suggests that technical and enforcement challenges may limit short-term outcomes. Researchers emphasised the need for complementary approaches, such as improved digital literacy education and stronger platform accountability mechanisms.
Longer-term monitoring will be essential to determine whether usage patterns shift over time or whether additional regulatory refinements are required. The study provides a valuable baseline for future evaluations.
International Context and Policy Comparisons
Australia's approach has attracted global attention as other jurisdictions consider similar measures. The United Kingdom, for example, has discussed comparable restrictions. The early Australian data offers lessons on the practical difficulties of implementation, particularly around verification technology and user adaptation.
International observers note that successful policies may require a combination of legislative requirements, robust enforcement powers for regulators and ongoing collaboration with technology companies. The University of Newcastle research contributes empirical evidence to these ongoing debates.
Future Outlook and Recommended Next Steps
The authors of the study call for strengthened age verification standards and greater transparency from platforms regarding their methods. They also recommend continued independent evaluation to track whether effects emerge beyond the initial three-month window.
Policymakers may consider expanding regulatory powers for the eSafety Commissioner and investing in public education campaigns that support families in navigating digital environments. Multi-stakeholder efforts involving educators, health professionals and technology firms could enhance overall effectiveness.
Additional reading on the study is available directly from the British Medical Journal at bmj.com.
Conclusion
The University of Newcastle study delivers a timely, evidence-based assessment showing that Australia's world-first under-16 social media age restriction has produced limited early impact on adolescent usage. High rates of continued access through circumvention highlight the complexities of enforcement in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. As governments worldwide watch developments in Australia, the research underscores the importance of adaptive, multifaceted strategies to support young people's healthy engagement with technology.