Australia’s world-first ban on social media accounts for children under 16 is facing growing scrutiny after a new study found that major platforms are failing to carry out even the most basic age verification checks.
The findings suggest the country’s landmark online safety law may be falling short in its early implementation, despite stricter enforcement measures introduced by the government.
Platforms Failed To Verify Ages
Under Australia’s new social media law, which came into force in December, platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube must prevent users under the age of 16 from creating accounts by taking “reasonable steps” to verify their age.
However, researchers from software testing firm KJR, which previously advised the government’s rollout of the legislation, found that none of the major platforms asked for proof of age when they created 50 test accounts that declared users were 16 years old.
All 50 accounts remain active across nine of the ten platforms covered by the law.
“You should be asked to demonstrate how old you are, and not once have we been asked to verify our age or use age-assurance measures,” said Andrew Hammond, Director at KJR.
Flaw In The First Line Of Defence
The researchers said the biggest weakness lies not in the photo-based age verification technology itself, but in the initial screening process designed to identify potentially underage users before additional checks are triggered.
Some of the dummy accounts were even shown advertisements aimed at teenagers, suggesting the platforms had already inferred the users’ likely age.
One account created on X reportedly received pornographic content despite declaring the user was 16.
Only One Platform Demanded Proof
While none of the platforms allowed users to register if they openly declared they were under 16, only Australian live-streaming platform Kick required users claiming to be 16 to provide proof of age before creating an account.
Meta said the findings appeared inconsistent with regulatory guidance, arguing that formal age verification is intended to occur only when behavioural indicators suggest an account belongs to someone under 16 or after it has been reported.
Government Tightens Enforcement
Australia has already warned several technology companies that they could face legal action for failing to comply with the law.
Last month, the government doubled the maximum penalties for breaches after studies suggested most under-16 users were still able to access social media platforms despite the ban.
Experts Warn Of Easy Circumvention
Critics of the original age verification trial say it failed to adequately test how easily children could bypass restrictions simply by entering a false date of birth.
Colm Gannon, Australia CEO of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children, said circumvention had become the preferred method for many young users.
“What we are now seeing is that circumvention has become the go-to by young people,” he said.
Other experts, however, argue it is still too early to judge the effectiveness of the system, noting that platforms were expected to gradually introduce more advanced age-detection tools over time.
The findings nevertheless raise fresh questions about whether Australia’s pioneering social media restrictions can be effectively enforced without more robust age verification systems.
