Australia’s pioneering teen social media ban is proving ineffective because online platforms are failing to implement initial age-verification triggers, according to a follow-up study by KJR, the software testing firm that advised the government’s rollout. Under the mandate enacted in December, platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube must bar users under 16 by taking “reasonable steps,” using multiple recommended verification methods. However, widespread non-compliance has already driven the government to double maximum fines and threaten tech giants with litigation. In the latest trial, researchers created 50 active dummy accounts across nine restricted platforms, self-declaring the age as 16. None of the accounts were prompted for proof of age, exposing a systemic flaw: while regulators have focused heavily on the accuracy of photo-based age estimation, the initial behavioral screening tools meant to flags users for deeper verification are failing to catch young accounts.
The dummy profiles successfully retained access to major platforms, including Meta’s Instagram, Snap’s Snapchat, TikTok, and Alphabet’s YouTube, with some even receiving youth banking advertisements or adult content on Elon Musk’s X. While all platforms blocked sign-ups that explicitly stated an age under 16, only the domestic streaming service Kick required documentation before profile creation, stating that as a newer platform it lacks the historical user data required for behavioral age inference. In response to the findings, Meta stated that the study’s parameters appeared inconsistent with official regulatory guidelines, noting that automated systems escalate to formal checks only when specific under-age behavioral signals are detected. Conversely, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner maintained confidence in the multi-tiered framework, asserting that the technology exists to block underage access if companies execute the protocols correctly.
The enforcement struggles follow a rocky rollout that initially claimed millions of underage account deletions before facing constant reports of systemic evasion. Platforms argue they are following official, low-friction initial guidance and are restricted from relying strictly on government IDs due to privacy regulations. However, project advisors note that they previously warned the government that the trial ignored real-life circumvention tactics, such as minors simply typing in false birthdates. While experts acknowledge that young people have rapidly adopted these circumvention methods, some analysts suggest that platforms were always expected to phase in advanced behavioral inference tools later in the year, meaning future compliance metrics may show improvement.
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