The huge number of under-16s still using social media in Australia

• A new survey indicates that two-thirds of Australian children aged 12-15 continue to use restricted social media platforms, despite a ban for under-16s.
• The Molly Rose Foundation's survey found that approximately 70 per cent of these children reported it was 'easy' to circumvent the age restrictions.
• Over half of the children surveyed stated that the ban had made no difference to their online safety, casting doubt on its efficacy.
• The foundation suggests social media platforms are failing to detect or remove underage accounts and warns that a similar ban in the UK would be a 'high-stakes gamble'.
• Instead of limited bans, the Molly Rose Foundation advocates for strengthening regulation that addresses business models prioritising profit over safety.

IN FULL

Two thirds of Australian teens still using social media despite under-16s ban