One-fifth of Australian teens still use TikTok, SnapChat after social media ban
Platforms must block people aged under 16 or face a fine of up to A$49.5 million (S$45 million)
Published Fri, Mar 13, 2026 · 10:59 AM
[SYDNEY] 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 per cent 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 (S$45 million).
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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.
The eSafety Commissioner and Communications Minister were not immediately available for comment.
A representative for Snapchat was not immediately available for comment. A TikTok spokesperson declined to comment.
