Updated
Updated · NPR · Jun 29
Study Finds Australia's 6-Month Child Social Media Ban Barely Curbed Access
Updated
Updated · NPR · Jun 29

Study Finds Australia's 6-Month Child Social Media Ban Barely Curbed Access

3 articles · Updated · NPR · Jun 29

Summary

  • Six months after Australia rolled out its world-first child social media ban, a new study found the measure has barely reduced young people's access.
  • The finding undercuts a policy Australia had paired with promises of tougher penalties, suggesting enforcement has not meaningfully limited use.
  • Australia's restrictions were billed as a global first, and the study now raises broader doubts about whether bans alone can keep children off major platforms.

Insights

Australia's youth social media ban is failing. Why are dozens of countries still rushing to copy it?
Is sacrificing everyone's online privacy the unavoidable price of protecting children from social media's harms?