FILE: One-fifth of Australian teens still use TikTok, SnapChat after social media ban

Record ID: 2365598

  • Title: FILE: One-fifth of Australian teens still use TikTok, SnapChat after social media ban
  • Date: 13th March 2026
  • Summary: Smoke rose through Beirut's southern suburbs on Monday (March 16) following air strikes that left buildings heavily damaged following overnight Israeli strikes. Lebanon was sucked into the war in the Middle East on March 2 when Hezbollah opened fire at Israel, saying it aimed to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader. Israel has responded with an offensive that has ki
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  • Keywords: Australia Facebook Instagram Meta SnapChat Social Media Teenagers TikTok
  • Location: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / INTERNET
  • City: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / INTERNET
  • Country: Australia
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA005358813032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: One-fifth of Australian teenagers under 16 were still using social media two months after the country banned platforms from allowing minors, industry data showed, raising questions about the effectiveness of age-gating methods they are using.
    The number of 13-to-15-year-olds using TikTok and SnapChat, among the most popular social media apps with Australian teenagers, fell from before the ban took effect in December to February, but still more than 20% used the apps, according to a report by parental control software maker Qustodio provided to Reuters.
    The data is among the first to show the effects on youth online behaviour since Australia rolled out the ban which is being copied by governments around the world. The Australian government and at least two university studies are tracking the ban's impact but none has published data yet.
    "Among children whose parents haven't blocked access, a meaningful number continue to use restricted platforms in the months following the ban," Qustodio said in the report, which was based on data collected from Australian families from late 2024 to February.
    Under the ban, platforms including Meta's Instagram, Facebook and Threads, Google's YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat must block people aged under 16 or face a fine of up to A$49.5 million ($35 million).
    The internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, has said it will give platforms time to adapt and will only take enforcement action for systemic non-compliance.
     ($1 = 1.4122 Australian dollars)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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