Most Under-16 Kids Still Actively Use Social Media Apps Despite Australia's Ban: Report

A study by the eSafety Commissioner reveals that most Australian teenagers continue using social media three months after the world-first under-16 ban took effect. The regulator found that the share of teens using these platforms only decreased from 86% to 81%. This data suggests the government's flagship online-safety policy has been ineffective, as over 80% of children under 16 still actively access platforms such as Instagram and TikTok despite the official legal restrictions currently in place.