Australia's recent decision to ban children under 13 from social media sites has proven ineffective, according to a new study. The study, released Tuesday, found that over 70% of teenagers still access platforms like TikTok and Meta despite the restrictions.

The policy, introduced last year by the Ministry of Communications, aimed to curb exposure to harmful content and improve mental health outcomes. However, the research shows the ban has not significantly reduced screen time or online activity among the target demographic.

Experts argue that enforcement gaps—such as the lack of a robust age verification system—allow minors to bypass the ban. The Australian government has pledged to review the policy and explore alternative measures, including stronger parental controls and digital literacy programs.

While the ban’s objectives remain noble, the results underscore the challenges of regulating social media usage among young users in an era of ubiquitous connectivity.