Teens Return to TikTok After World’s First Usage Ban, Data Show

Live updates

1. 20d ago

   Australian Teens Return to TikTok Despite Under-16 Social Media Ban

   Australian teenagers are returning to TikTok eight months after the implementation of a world-first social media ban for those under 16. Data from Qustodio indicates that 26% of 13 to 15 year-olds continue to use the platform, a figure only one percentage point lower than levels recorded before the ban. While some reports suggest usage is rising among under-16s, the official data shows the restriction has failed to significantly reduce platform engagement. In response, the Australian Senate and ACCC are pushing for bolstered enforcement powers and higher fines for social media companies.

   Why it matters

   Australia introduced these restrictions to curb children's access to social media for safety reasons. The move is part of a broader global trend where countries in Europe and Australia are attempting to limit youth digital exposure. These laws face challenges as users find ways to bypass age restrictions.

   What is confirmed

   • Qustodio data shows 26% of Australian 13 to 15 year-olds use TikTok eight months after the under-16 ban.
   • TikTok use among this demographic is one percentage point lower than pre-ban levels.
   • The Australian Senate and ACCC have recommended stronger enforcement powers for the social media ban.
   • Meta agreed to a settlement with 51 US attorneys general to pay up to $18 billion over claims its platforms harm children.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Social media use is on the rise among Australian under-16s following the ban.
   • The Australian ban has had the opposite effect of keeping kids off social media.

   What to watch next

   • Senate action on the bill boosting eSafety commissioner authority
   • Implementation of substantive platform changes by Meta as part of its US settlement
   • New usage data for platforms other than TikTok among Australian under-16s
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. Bloomberg — Teens Return to TikTok After World’s First Usage Ban, Data Show
   2. Los Angeles Times — Teens flock back to TikTok despite world-first social media ban
   3. Reuters — From Australia to Europe, countries move to curb children's social media access
   4. The Hindu — The science behind social media bans, and why they don’t work
   5. The Australian — Senate recommends bolstered eSafety powers
   6. Politico — Myth busting Australia's teen social media restrictions
   7. MLex — ACCC backs stronger social-media ban enforcement powers in Australia
   8. Bloomberg — Australia’s Young People Defying Social Media Ban in Droves
   9. Tubefilter — Australia tried to keep kids off social media. Its ban has had the opposite effect.
   10. Yahoo — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data
   11. The Hindu — A civilisational approach to social media
   12. MLex — Australian Senate inquiry backs stronger enforcement powers for social-media ban
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