Trending Now - Australian Youth Continue to Access Banned Social Media Despite Rulings

WHO:

Engadget - The Molly Rose Foundation, a charity organization focused on preventing online harm, conducted the study.

Engadget - Andy Burrows is the CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation.

WHAT:

Engadget - A study polled 1,050 Australian children aged 12 to 15 in March 2026.

Engadget - The study found that 61 percent of children aged 12 to 15 who previously had access to banned social media platforms still have one or more active accounts.

Engadget - The study concluded that the social media ban does not have a "clear positive or negative impact on children’s wellbeing."

Engadget - 70 percent of children attempting to access restricted platforms reported that it was easy to circumvent the ban.

Engadget - Australia's eSafety agency is investigating Snap, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for potential non-compliance with the ban.

WHERE:

Engadget - The study was conducted in Australia.

WHEN:

Engadget - The social media ban for those under 16 years old began on December 10, 2025.

Engadget - The findings from the Australian government regarding social media compliance were published in March 2026.

Engadget - The eSafety agency will make a decision about enforcement by the middle of 2026.

WHY:

Engadget - The ban was implemented to prevent online harm to children under 16 years old.

HOW:

Engadget - The eSafety agency's enforcement powers include issuing infringement notices, seeking court-ordered injunctions, and imposing civil penalties up to A$49.5 million (approximately $35 million USD).

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 13:25 UTC)

A recent study conducted by the Molly Rose Foundation, which focuses on preventing online harm, surveyed 1,050 Australian children aged 12 to 15 in March 20th26. The findings revealed that 61 percent of these children, who previously had access to banned social media platforms, still maintain one or more active accounts, and 70 percent reported it was easy to bypass the ban. Australia's eSafety agency is currently investigating major platforms like Snap, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for potential non-compliance with the social media ban that was implemented to protect children under 16, with a decision on enforcement expected by the middle of 2026.