A social media ban is still on the cards for the UK, but Australias landmark ruling is failing heres how teenagers are still using TikTok and Instagram

Date:
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:19:12 +0000

Description:
Research shows that Australia's social media ban isn't as effective as anticipated, but that's not stopping the UK.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
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your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Research shows that Australia's social media ban isn't the most effective
Some under-16s say platforms haven't taken action to deactivate their
accounts Despite the failure, the UK government is still considering a
similar ban The UK government is still mulling over a proposed social media ban following Australia becoming the first country to implement the ban but it turns out, this ruling is failing for the people down under.

In a recent story from Sky News , the outlet revealed that research shows
over 60% of underage users in Australia still have access to a range of their social media accounts on YouTube , Instagram, and TikTok. The research was carried out online by the Molly Rose Foundation between March 12 - 31. Australias social media ban for under-16s has been in effect since December 2025 , targeting 10 of the biggest platforms. But even though platforms are now required to close existing underage accounts and prevent the creation of new ones by law, 53% of users were still on TikTok, while 53% used YouTube, and 52% of Instagram users still had access, the research reveals. Article continues below You may like Australias age verification rules: Is a VPN ban on the horizon? NymVPN's latest update brings crucial anti-censorship and usability boost French President takes aim at American platforms and Chinese algorithms as France moves to ban social media for under-15s

Beyond this, the study showed something deeper about these platforms efforts to enforce restrictions. According to the research, two-thirds of YouTube users, 61% of Snapchat users, and 60% of both Instagram and TikTok users claimed that these platforms didnt take action to deactivate their accounts, which were created before the ban was issued, leaving users feeling more unsafe post-ban compared to before.

Each of the platforms mentioned above have yet to comment on why restrictive measures havent succeeded, but for those who have been signed out of their accounts, parents have apparently noticed positive behavioral changes according to a YouGov poll from March. But while Australia still finds its footing with the ban ( it could be targeting VPNs next ), the UK is still deliberating a similar ruling, even though research suggests Australia's ban hasn't been that effective. Addictive scrolling mechanisms are really problematic Since Australia introduced the ban, the UK government has been seriously considering a similar approach. While it rolled out a slew of age verification requirements last year , it has yet to take action on an
official social media ban, but its not completely off the cards for Prime Minister Keir Starmer who shared to the BBC "But I think equally important, the addictive scrolling mechanisms are really problematic to my mind. They need to go."

As it stands, the government is currently experimenting with tools such as curfews and screen time limits for apps to examine their impact on things
such as education and family life, as Reuters shares. However, aside from this, the government wants to hear directly from parents and teenagers alike.

This would allow the government to see things from both perspectives. On the one hand it gives parents the opportunity to express any concerns they have regarding their childs screen time and the type of content they can be
exposed to. Consulting teenagers on the other hand would offer an explicit insight to the reality of growing up in the age of social media, especially
if teenagers provide account of their own personal experiences. Today's best NordVPN deals NordVPN 2 Year 2.59 /mth View at NordVPN NordVPN 1 year 3.79 /mth View at NordVPN NordVPN 1 Month 9.69 /mth View at NordVPN Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/a-social-media-ban-is-still -on-the-cards-for-the-uk-but-australias-landmark-ruling-is-failing-heres-how-t eenagers-are-still-using-tiktok-and-instagram


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