Parents in Australia: is the under-16s social media ban working?

. UK edition

A teenager poses holding a mobile phone displaying a message from TikTok as law banning social media for users under 16 in Australia takes effect, in Sydney, Australia, December 10, 2025.
The social media ban came into force in December 2025 and some consider it a flop. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

Six months after Australia introduced its world-first ban on social media for under-16s, we would like to hear from parents and carers about whether it is making a difference

Six months after Australia introduced its under-16 social media ban, supporters say it is helping to protect young people online, while critics argue many teenagers are still using social media and that the restrictions are difficult to enforce.

As countries including the UK consider similar measures, and the Australian government is promoting the ban as a model for others, we’d like to hear from parents and carers about how it has affected their families.

Do you think the ban is working? What impact has it had on your child and your family? Has it reduced your child’s social media use, or have they found ways around it?

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