Few would dispute the need to protect children online. As global concerns grow over cyberbullying, online predators and excessive screen time, Thai child advocates and lawmakers are increasingly pointing to Australia's landmark social media ban as a model worth considering. Yet Australia's experience suggests the issue is far more complex than simply passing a law.
Last year, Australia became the first country to prohibit children under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms. The legislation was widely hailed as a bold attempt to address growing concerns over the impact of social media on young people. However, early evidence suggests that many children continue to access social media despite the restrictions.
According to a Reuters report, researchers from Australian software testing company KJR successfully created 50 accounts across platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and X. They found that none of the accounts was required to undergo meaningful age verification despite the new legal requirements. Instead, the systems appeared to rely heavily on self-declared ages.
