Australian children under the age of 16 are increasingly using social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok, despite a world-leading ban on such activities, according to data from parental control software company Qustodio. The ban, implemented in December, aimed to protect children from online bullying and 'predatory algorithms'. However, the data indicates that social media use among young Australians is climbing back towards pre-ban levels.
When the legal restrictions were first implemented, there was a noticeable decline in social media use across the board. However, recent data shows a resurgence in the use of apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat among 10-12 year olds and 13 to 15-year olds. For instance, 25.9 percent of 13-15 year-olds are still using TikTok, only slightly lower than before the ban.
Yasmin London, Global Online Safety Expert for Qustodio, suggests that children might be accessing these platforms using VPNs or by obfuscating their ages. She also posits that the restrictions may simply not be effective. Additionally, the data shows an increase in the use of messaging platform WhatsApp, which is not affected by the ban.
Qustodio gathered the data by analyzing anonymized monthly social media app usage among Australian children. The data shows the percentages of kids who used the app for more than five consecutive minutes at least once in a given month. Australian officials maintain that the ban is crucial for protecting children, but a recent peer-reviewed study by Australia-based researchers found little evidence to suggest that teenagers have turned away from social media as a result of the ban.
The situation in Australia mirrors global trends where governments are grappling with the challenge of regulating social media use among minors. New Zealand, for example, has announced plans to introduce legislation that could fine firms like Meta up to 10 percent of their global revenue if they fail to comply with similar restrictions.
For Bangladeshi readers, this trend underscores the global challenge of balancing the benefits of social media with the need to protect young users from potential harms. As more countries implement similar bans, the effectiveness of such measures will likely come under greater scrutiny.
