Most U.S. adolescents, including 63.8% under 13, use social media despite age restrictions, with TikTok being the most popular. Many show signs of addiction, and 6.3% have secret accounts hidden from parents.

Meta yesterday expanded AI-powered age detection to Instagram in the EU and Brazil and Facebook in the US, using visual cues like height to find underage users.

Meta yesterday expanded AI-powered age detection to Instagram in the EU and Brazil and Facebook in the US, using visual cues like height to find underage users.

Australia implemented a pioneering ban on social media accounts for individuals under 16 years old in late 2025, aiming to protect young people from online harms such as cyberbullying, addiction, and exposure to harmful content. However, new research indicates that the ban has not been fully effective. Surveys reveal that nearly two-thirds of underage users who had accounts on major platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok before the ban have maintained access afterward. This includes workarounds such as using VPNs, false age declarations, or parental devices. One compliance report highlighted that about one-third of parents reported their children still had at least one active social media account, with many platforms failing to properly verify ages. While the Australian government has removed millions of accounts and is preparing enforcement actions against non-compliant companies, experts note ongoing challenges in enforcement due to the global nature of these platforms. The findings come amid international interest, with countries like the UK, Malaysia, and others considering similar measures. Supporters argue the ban addresses real issues, with pre-ban statistics showing high rates of harmful content exposure among Australian youth. Critics point to evasion tactics and question the long-term effectiveness without stronger international cooperation and parental involvement. Overall, the research underscores the difficulties in regulating digital spaces for minors while highlighting the need for continued monitoring and potential policy adjustments.