80% of Australian Children Under 13 Bypass Social Media Age Limits

A report by Australia's eSafety Commission highlights that a significant number of children under 16 are using social media platforms despite impending restrictions. The survey found that 80% of children aged 8 to 12 and 95% of those aged 13 to 15 have accessed services like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Many younger users circumvent age restrictions by using parent or sibling accounts, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current age verification measures. The Australian government is set to implement a ban on social media usage for children under 16 by the end of 2025, but the report criticizes the lack of consistent enforcement by social media companies. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized the need for better age assurance tools and proactive measures from platforms to protect children. The findings have sparked debates over the adequacy of existing regulations and the responsibility of social media companies in safeguarding younger users.