The use of social networks among children under 16 years old in Australia recovered after the ban, introduced in December, for this age group, according to data from an application of parental control, released today.
© Lusa
26/08/2026
by
Lusa
O traffic between this demographic group had fallen by the time the innovative legislation came into force , triggering similar initiatives in France, the United Kingdom and other countries.
But since then the use has recovered, sometimes even exceeding the levels prior to the ban, according to data from the Qustodio application.
For example, 11.36% of children aged 10 to 12 used the TikTok short video platform in July 2026, more than in November 2025 (10.73%) and only a little less than in December 2025 (11.42%).
Among young people aged 13 to 15, 25.96% were still using TikTok, about 1% less than just before the ban. The trend is also high on Snapchat and Instagram social networks.
“ They can access these platforms via VPNs or fake age,” explained Yasmin London, Qustodio’s online security expert, in a statement.
A virtual private network known as VPN allows you to hide or modify the location of the user.
But restrictions can also simply “not work”, warned London.
The company's data showed a significant migration from under 16 to WhatsApp, an application of unaffected messages by law.
Qustodio analysed anonymised monthly data on the use of social networks — more than five consecutive minutes in a given month — in this age group to produce the statistics.
Australia became the first country in the world on December 10 to ban social networks for children in order to protect them from the harmful effects on mental health.
In late March, the Australian Internet regulator announced an investigation targeting technology giants, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, accused of violating the ban.
Companies targeted by the ban are subject to fines which may exceed EUR 25 million.
Although several studies prove the negative effects of past ‘online’ excessive time, in June, an Australian research team published a study that questioned the effectiveness of the ban.
Most technology has committed itself to respecting the law, but has warned that it may push teenagers to less regulated and more dangerous platforms.
The first results of the measure “suggest that this measure is not achieving the objectives of improving the safety and welfare of young Australians”, argued Meta in January.
The owner of Facebook and Instagram also states that parents and experts are concerned that young people are isolated from online communities.