Despite the Australian government’s ban on social media platforms for minors, a recent report by parental control software maker Qustodio revealed that over 20% of Australian teenagers aged 13 to 15 were still using TikTok and Snapchat two months after the ban was implemented.
This data raises concerns about the effectiveness of age-gating measures on popular platforms. The ban, enforced in December, targeted apps like Meta’s Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat, imposing hefty fines for non-compliance.
While the ban aims to protect minors online, the lingering use of restricted platforms underscores the challenges of enforcing such policies. The eSafety Commissioner is closely monitoring platform compliance and addressing any breaches of the law.
Notably, the report provides valuable insights into the impact of the ban on youth online behavior, shedding light on how teenagers navigate restrictions on social media usage.
Source: Tech-Economic Times