Australia bans social media for everyone under 16
Reliability
Based on 12 sources
Publications (11)
Sources (12)Fact-Checking
49 claimsAustralia banned social media for everyone under 16 years old.
The ban applies to major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, YouTube, Threads, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch.
The ban came into effect in December 2024 (specifically 10 December 2024).
Open Questions
5 questionsThe ban is working, with more than 4.7 million under-16 accounts deactivated, removed, or restricted within days.
According to www.pm.gov.auOver 60% of teens who had pre-ban accounts still have access to at least one platform, and about two-thirds say platforms have taken no action to remove or reactivate pre-existing accounts.
According to fortune.comContext: The government claims success based on account deactivations, but survey data suggests widespread circumvention, raising questions about the ban's real-world impact on protecting children.
Around seven out of ten young people have returned to social media.
According to AftonbladetMore than 60% of teens who had pre-ban accounts still had access to at least one platform.
According to fortune.comContext: Both figures indicate high circumvention, but the 70% figure suggests a higher rate of return, possibly due to different survey methodologies or timeframes.