A landmark study led by the University of Newcastle (UON) has revealed that Australia’s bold legislative attempt to restrict social media access for users under the age of 16 has yielded only a marginal impact in its initial months. Despite the implementation of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which went into effect in December 2025, the findings indicate that the digital wall between adolescents and major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X remains remarkably porous. According to the research, more than 85 percent of underage users have successfully continued to access these platforms, suggesting that the current regulatory landscape is struggling to keep pace with the digital fluency of the modern generation.
The study, which meticulously tracked 408 adolescents aged 12 to 17 both before and three months after the act’s implementation, highlights a systemic failure to curb usage through existing verification methods. While major platforms have been mandated to take “reasonable steps” to prevent underage account holding, the research found that approximately two-thirds of participants encountered these measures—typically self-declared age checks or photo-based verification—and largely ignored or outmaneuvered them. These findings offer a sobering reality check for policymakers, illustrating that legislative intent is currently being undermined by the ease with which young users can navigate around technical barricades.
Beyond simple negligence, the study provides a detailed roadmap of how adolescents are actively circumventing the new restrictions. Lead investigator Courtney Barnes noted clear evidence of strategic evasion, with 15 to 19 percent of the youth participants admitting to the creation of fake accounts to bypass the ban. Furthermore, a significant number of teenagers are relying on social networks to circumvent the law, with 9 to 29 percent reporting the use of accounts belonging to friends or family members. Additionally, up to 11 percent of users reported utilizing private browser modes, indicating a sophisticated approach to maintaining their digital presence despite the government’s intervention.
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from the UON findings is that overall social media consumption patterns have remained largely stagnant rather than trending downward. While there was a slight decline in daily usage among those aged 14 to 15, the usage rates for the 12 to 13-year-old demographic remained stable, and surprisingly, usage actually increased among users older than 16. This lack of a drastic reduction suggests that the legislation, while well-intentioned, has yet to fundamentally alter the role that social media plays in the daily lives of Australian adolescents, effectively failing to produce the broader behavioral shift targeted by the Act.
The implications of this study extend far beyond Australia, as the nation is currently viewed as a global bellwether for digital safety regulation. With countries like the United Kingdom, France, Greece, and Turkey observing the Australian model to inform their own restrictive measures, the UON findings provide a critical, early-stage snapshot of the challenges inherent in digital age-gating. Courtney Barnes emphasized the international significance of this evaluation, noting that Australia’s experience serves as a cautionary tale or a proving ground for other nations attempting to curb the influence of social media giants on younger populations.
Ultimately, the University of Newcastle researchers advocate for a cautious, long-term approach to evaluating the success of the Act. Professor Luke Wolfenden, a co-author of the study, stressed that the eventual effectiveness of these policies will be contingent upon the rigor and consistency with which age-verification systems are enforced. While the initial data points to significant hurdles, the researchers stop short of calling the policy a failure, acknowledging instead that the true impact of such broad legislative change may take years to manifest. For now, the report serves as a mandate for more robust enforcement and continued, longitudinal monitoring of the digital habits of Australia’s youth.
