---
title: "Australian teens returning to social media despite usage ban"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/australian-teens-returning-to-social-media-despite-usage-ban"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/australian-teens-returning-to-social-media-despite-usage-ban"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/australian-teens-returning-to-social-media-despite-usage-ban.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/australian-teens-returning-to-social-media-despite-usage-ban"
category: "Politics"
published: "2026-08-26T19:25:10.200Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-25T11:38:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-26T19:45:05.700Z"
trust_score: 50
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-26T20:30:12.969015+00:00"
---

# Australian teens returning to social media despite usage ban

*New data suggests social media use among Australian children aged 13-15 is nearing pre-ban levels.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Qustodio, a parental control software maker, and cited by an analyst.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. The report explains why the story matters and quotes an expert on online safety.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. The headline suggests a complete failure of the ban, which the article qualifies.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- 26% of Australian children aged 13-15 used TikTok last month, close to pre-ban levels, according to Qustodio data.
- Usage rates for Instagram and Snapchat have also begun to increase after an initial fall following the ban.
- Australia's government plans to double the maximum penalty for social media violations to A$99m.
- No social media platform has yet been fined for breaching the ban.

Eight months after Australia introduced a ban on social media use for those under 16, data from parental control software maker Qustodio suggests that younger users are returning to these platforms. Last month, 26% of Australian children aged 13 to 15 used TikTok, a figure only one percentage point lower than before the rules were enacted. For children aged 10 to 12, usage rates are now higher than they were prior to the ban.

Usage rates for Instagram and Snapchat, while lower than TikTok, have also started to rise after an initial decrease when the ban took effect in December. Yasmin London, a global online safety expert at Qustodio, stated that while there was an initial drop, numbers have slowly increased again to near equivalent levels for some services. She suggested that children might be obscuring their ages, using VPNs, or not encountering effective age verification on platforms. Qustodio's research was based on anonymised information from 19,000 Australian families.

Australia's government has been a leader in legislating to prevent underage users from accessing services like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, with other countries, including New Zealand, announcing similar plans. The government stated in June that social media companies were not doing enough to comply with the age restriction, which requires firms to take reasonable steps to keep under-16s off their platforms or face fines. The government has pledged to double the maximum penalty for violations to A$99 million and to grant the country's online safety watchdog additional enforcement powers. As of now, no social media platform has been fined for breaching the ban.

## Coverage comparison

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated reports mention the Qustodio data being collected only from devices with its parental oversight software installed, which the source material states may understate the issue. The reports also do not mention Meta's WhatsApp seeing an increase in usage, which is not subject to the government's restrictions.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 30 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 38% (11)
- Centre: 31% (10)
- Right: 31% (9)

12 of 42 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-26T20:30:12.969015+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 2 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-26T21:15:06.380Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The Irish Examiner reported that 26% of Australian children aged 13-15 were on TikTok last month, a figure close to pre-ban levels. The outlet noted that usage rates for Instagram and Snapchat have also begun to increase after initially falling. It highlighted that Australia's government has pledged to double the maximum penalty for social media violations to A$99m, and that no platform has been fined so far. The report quoted Yasmin London, a global online safety expert at Qustodio, who suggested children may be using methods to circumvent age checks. The Irish Examiner also mentioned that other countries are following Australia's example in legislating against underage social media use.

### Centre

- Centre-rated outlets reported that Australian under-16s are increasing their use of social media apps like Instagram and TikTok. This rise is occurring despite a ban implemented in December. Data for this reporting came from the parental control app Qustodio.
- Channel News Asia, which published a full report, stated that usage fell initially after the ban but has since climbed. This outlet quoted Yasmin London, a global online safety expert for Qustodio, who suggested VPNs or age obfuscation as possible reasons for continued access.
- The reports noted that messaging platform WhatsApp, which is not affected by the ban, is also seeing increased use among children. Some outlets mentioned that Australian officials stated the ban aims to protect children from online bullying and predatory algorithms.

### Right

- Right-rated outlets reported that Australian under-16s are increasing their use of social media apps like Instagram and TikTok. This trend emerged despite a ban implemented in December 2025, which aimed to restrict children's access to these platforms.
- Data from a parental control software company was cited across these reports. Some digests noted that the ban is proving ineffective, with one suggesting that VPNs are being used to circumvent age restrictions.
- One digest mentioned that the rate of use for children aged 10 to 12 is now higher than before the ban was introduced. The reports also noted that other countries, including the UK and France, have followed Australia's lead with similar measures.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 2
- high: 21
- unknown: 12
- veryHigh: 7

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/26/factbox-from-australia-to-europe-countries-move-to-curb-childrens-social-media-access-6) — Factbox-From Australia to Europe, countries move to curb children’s social media access
- [Business Insider](https://businessinsider.com/australias-social-media-ban-teens-failure-2026-8) — Australia's social media ban for kids is a flop
- [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/esec-tot-mai-multi-tineri-australieni-sub-16-ani-folosesc-retelele-sociale-dupa-interzicerea-acestora-3922971) — Failed. More and More Young Australians Under 16 Use Social Networks After Banning Them
- [Publico](https://publico.pt/2026/08/26/enter/noticia/uso-redes-sociais-menores-16-anos-australia-recupera-apos-proibicao-2186154) — Social Media Use Among Minors Under 16 in Australia Recovers After Ban.
- [La Presse](https://lapresse.ca/affaires/techno/2026-08-26/australie/l-utilisation-des-reseaux-sociaux-remonte-chez-les-moins-de-16-ans-apres-leur-interdiction.php) — Australia: Use of Social Media Goes Back to Under 16 Years After Being Banned
- [TechXplore](https://techxplore.com/news/2026-08-social-media-australian-16s.html) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: Data
- [Liberation](https://liberation.fr/international/asie-pacifique/en-australie-lutilisation-des-reseaux-sociaux-remonte-chez-les-jeunes-apres-leur-interdiction-fin-decembre-20260826_2JBD6X7XTRCA7DYST7NJ7GZBSM) — In Australia, the Use of Social Networks Goes Back to Young People After Being Banned at the End of December.
- [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/tech/3041446/uso-das-redes-recupera-na-australia-apos-proibicao-a-menores-de-16-anos) — Use of Networks Recovers in Australia After Prohibition to Children Under 16 Years of Age
- [TNW](https://thenextweb.com/news/australia-teens-back-on-tiktok-qustodio-data) — Eight months after Australia’s ban, teen TikTok use is down one percentage point
- [Observador](https://observador.pt/2026/08/26/uso-de-redes-sociais-abaixo-dos-16-anos-na-australia-recupera-apos-proibicao) — Use of Social Networks Under the Age of 16 in Australia Recovers After Prohibition
- [AlKhaleej Today](https://alkhaleejtoday.co/international/5864345/Social-media-use-rebounds-among-Australian-children-despite-under-16-ban.html) — Social media use rebounds among Australian children despite under-16 ban
- [Malay Mail](https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/08/26/social-media-use-rebounds-among-australian-children-despite-under-16-ban/232699) — Social media use rebounds among Australian children despite under-16 ban
- [www.cnews.fr](https://cnews.fr/monde/2026-08-26/australie-malgre-linterdiction-les-moins-de-16-ans-utilisent-de-plus-en-plus-les) — Australia: Despite the Ban, Under-16s Are Increasingly Using Social Networks
- [Hot News](https://hotnews.ro/efect-neasteptat-dupa-interzicerea-retelelor-de-socializare-in-australia-ce-se-intampla-la-9-luni-de-la-intrarea-in-vigoare-a-legii-2333470) — Unexpected Effect After Banning Social Networks in Australia for Children Under 16 Years of Age. What Happens 9 Months After the Law Comes Into Force - HotNews.ro
- [Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija](https://lrt.lt/naujienos/mokslas-ir-it/11/3033054/nepaisant-draudimo-australijoje-vel-isaugo-jaunimo-naudojimasis-socialiniais-tinklais) — Despite Ban, Youth Social Media Use in Australia Has Increased Again
- [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/secteur/high-tech/australie-l-utilisation-des-reseaux-sociaux-chez-les-moins-de-16-ans-en-australie-remonte-apres-son-interdiction-20260826) — Australia: Use of Social Networks by Under 16s Goes Back After Its Ban
- [Globo](https://oglobo.globo.com/economia/tecnologia/noticia/2026/08/26/efeito-contrario-uso-de-redes-sociais-por-menores-aumenta-na-australia-apos-proibicao.ghtml) — Opposite Effect: Use of Social Networks by Minors Increases in Australia After Ban
- [Sud Ouest](https://sudouest.fr/economie/reseaux-sociaux/australie-l-utilisation-des-reseaux-sociaux-remonte-chez-les-moins-de-16-ans-apres-leur-interdiction-30369265.php) — Australia: Social Media Use Goes Back to Children Under 16 Years of Age After Being Banned
- [Stirile Pro TV](https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/international/ce-s-a-intamplat-dupa-ce-australia-a-interzis-retelele-sociale-pentru-copiii-sub-16-ani-datele-sunt-ingrijoratoare.html) — What Happened After Australia Banned Social Networks for Children Under 16 Years Old. The Data Are Worrying
- [theasialive.com](https://theasialive.com/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-despite-ban) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s despite ban
- [Le Temps](https://letemps.ch/cyber/en-australie-l-utilisation-des-reseaux-sociaux-remonte-chez-les-moins-de-16-ans-apres-leur-interdiction) — In Australia, the Use of Social Media Goes Back to Those Under 16 Years of Age After Being Banned.
- [The New Indian Express](https://newindianexpress.com/world/2026/Aug/26/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban-data) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data
- [France24](https://france24.com/en/live-news/20260826-social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban-data) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data
- [The Frontier Post](https://thefrontierpost.com/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban-data) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data
- [RTS](https://rts.ch/info/monde/2026/article/reseaux-sociaux-en-australie-l-usage-remonte-chez-les-jeunes-29338400.html) — Social Networks in Australia: Use Goes Back to Young People
- [La Nación, Grupo Nación](https://nacion.com/el-mundo/este-pais-veto-uso-de-redes-sociales-entre-menores/6Q44VNDCT5EX7IHHNNAK2VBCEM/story) — This Country Vetoed Use of Social Networks Among Children Under 16, but Their Use Rather Picked Up
- [ouest-france.fr](https://ouest-france.fr/high-tech/reseaux-sociaux/lutilisation-des-reseaux-sociaux-remonte-en-australie-chez-les-moins-de-16-ans-apres-leur-interdiction-32e318dc-a0f2-11f1-bba4-fb5ac80a227f) — The Use of Social Media Goes Back to Australia for Those Under 16 Years of Age After Their Ban
- [Radio France Internationale](https://rfi.fr/en/international-news/20260826-social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban-data) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data
- [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/26/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban
- [Channel News Asia](https://channelnewsasia.com/world/australia-social-media-use-under-16-ban-6341291) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s despite ban
- [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban-data-101787706325999.html) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data
- [rtl.lu](https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/social-media-use-on-the-rise-among-australian-under-16s-after-ban-data-1764502892) — Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: data
- [Tubefilter](https://tubefilter.com/2026/08/25/australia-social-media-ban-qustodio-usage-data) — Australia tried to keep kids off social media. Its ban has had the opposite effect.
- [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/tecnologia/redes-sociales-menores-australianos-repunta-pese-prohibicion-cifras-qustodio-20260825-830204.html) — Use of Social Networks Among Australian Minors Says Despite a Ban, According to Qustodio Figures
- [Taipei Times](https://taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2026/08/26/2003863164) — Teens return to TikTok after world’s first usage ban
- [Los Angeles Times](https://latimes.com/business/story/2026-08-25/teens-flock-back-to-tiktok-despite-world-first-social-media-ban) — Australia's teens flock back to TikTok despite world-first social media ban
- [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-25/teens-return-to-tiktok-after-world-s-first-usage-ban-data-show) — Teens Return to TikTok After World’s First Usage Ban, Data Show
- [The Print](https://theprint.in/world/teens-return-to-tiktok-after-worlds-first-usage-ban-data-show/3024495) — Teens return to TikTok after world’s first usage ban, data show
- [Irish Examiner](https://irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41901403.html) — Australia sees teenagers return to social media despite world’s first usage ban
- [Irish Independent](https://independent.ie/world-news/australian-teens-return-to-tiktok-after-worlds-first-ban-new-data-shows/a/160469197.html) — Australian teens return to TikTok after world's first ban, new data shows
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/teens-return-to-tiktok-after-worlds-first-usage-ban-data-show) — Teens return to TikTok after world’s first usage ban, data shows
- [Irish Times](https://irishtimes.com/technology/consumer-tech/2026/08/25/australian-teens-returning-to-tiktok-after-ban-data-shows) — Australian teens returning to TikTok after ban, data shows

## Questions

**What percentage of Australian children aged 13-15 are using TikTok?**

According to data from Qustodio, 26% of Australian children aged 13 to 15 were using TikTok last month. This figure is only one percentage point lower than the rate observed before Australia implemented its ban on social media use for under-16s.

**What is Australia's penalty for social media violations?**

Australia's government has pledged to double the maximum penalty for social media violations to A$99 million. This measure is part of efforts to enforce age restrictions on social media platforms for users under 16.

**Have social media platforms been fined for breaching the ban?**

No social media platform has been fined for breaching Australia's ban on social media use for under-16s so far. The government has stated that companies are not doing enough to comply with the age restriction.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/australian-teens-returning-to-social-media-despite-usage-ban. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Australian teens returning to social media despite usage ban", https://mediabias.news/politics/australian-teens-returning-to-social-media-despite-usage-ban