Social media use on the rise among under-16s after ban
‘They could be accessing these platforms with VPNs, or obfuscating their ages.’
‘They could be accessing these platforms with VPNs, or obfuscating their ages.’
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australian under-16s are increasing their use of social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok despite a world-leading ban, data provided by a parental control software company showed Wednesday.
Australia implemented legislation barring children from social media platforms in December, with the United Kingdom, France and others following suit.
Youngsters’ use of social media fell across the board when the legal restrictions were first implemented, data from parental control app Qustodio showed.
But since then their social media activity has climbed — even approaching pre-ban levels for some apps.
The use of apps TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat among 10 to 12 year olds and 13 to 15-year olds was on the rise, data from parental control app Qustodio showed.
In the case of video-sharing site TikTok, 25.9 percent of 13 to 15 year-olds are still using the app — just over a percentage point lower than before the ban came into force.
And use among 10 to 12 year olds was just 0.06 percentage points below where it was before the ban.
“They could be accessing these platforms with VPNs, or obfuscating their ages,” Yasmin London, Global Online Safety Expert for Qustodio, said.
“But it could really be as simple as they’re just accessing these apps because the restrictions aren’t working.”
The data also showed children increasingly turning to messaging platform WhatsApp, which is not affected by the ban.
