Four out of five Australian children still using social media despite ban, study finds amid fears over UK crackdown (opens original article in a new tab)

A study shows most Australian under-16s continued using social media after a 2025 ban, raising concerns about the effectiveness of similar UK restrictions planned for 2027. Critics warn bans may not prevent access and could push children to unregulated online spaces, while tech firms oppose the measures.

• Four out of five Australian under-16s still used social media after a 2025 ban, according to a study
• UK plans to ban under-16s from social media by 2027, citing Australia's experience as a cautionary example
• Study found 85% of under-16s used restricted platforms, with many circumventing age checks
• Critics argue bans may push children to less regulated online spaces and fail to address algorithmic content risks
• UK's ban includes platforms like TikTok and Instagram but excludes messaging apps like WhatsApp