A recent report from the eSafety Commission highlights significant social media usage among young Australians, with 80% of children aged 8 to 12 and 95% of those aged 13 to 15 being active on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok in the past year. Notably, 54% accessed these platforms through their parent’s accounts, while 36% had their individual accounts.
Despite a federal government ban on social media for users under 16 introduced last November, the report indicates that enforcement has been lacking. This ban relies on users truthfully declaring their ages, which is insufficient to prevent underage access. The report mentions platforms like TikTok and Snapchat employing advanced technologies to identify underage users, but it points out a lack of consistency across the industry in terms of age verification measures.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasised the need for social media companies to adopt robust age assurance practices. She stated that ensuring children’s safety online is a collective responsibility involving not just the platforms, but also parents, educators, and policymakers, urging everyone to contribute to creating safer digital environments for children.