Australia’s groundbreaking ban on social media access for children under the age of 16 is already facing significant challenges, with new findings suggesting that many teenagers continue to use restricted platforms despite the legislation.

The government agency responsible for enforcing the new regulations, seven out of ten Australian parents whose children previously had social media accounts reported that their teenagers were still accessing age-restricted platforms after the ban came into effect. The figures have raised questions about the effectiveness of the policy and whether age-based restrictions alone can successfully limit young people’s online activity.

The issue has sparked debate among cybersecurity specialists, child welfare advocates, and digital safety experts. While many support efforts to protect young users from potential online harms, some argue that outright bans may not be enough to address the complex nature of teenage internet use.

Speaking to Metro, Pieter Arntz, a security intelligence analyst at Malwarebytes, warned that restricting access to mainstream social media platforms could unintentionally drive some teenagers toward less regulated areas of the internet. He expressed concern that determined young users might seek alternative online spaces, including the dark web, if they feel excluded from popular social platforms.

The dark web refers to a hidden section of the internet that requires specialized software, such as the Tor browser, to access. It is designed to provide anonymity by concealing users’ identities and locations. While it can be used for legitimate privacy purposes, it is also associated with criminal activity and illegal marketplaces.

However, not all experts believe this outcome is likely. Dr. Yusuf Oc, a marketing lecturer at London’s Bayes Business School, described such concerns as “real but overstated.” According to Oc, accessing the dark web requires a level of technical knowledge and effort that most teenagers are unlikely to pursue simply because social media restrictions have been imposed.

Instead, he suggested that young people are more likely to migrate toward alternative digital spaces that are easier to access. These may include encrypted messaging services such as Telegram, private online communities, or websites with minimal moderation and oversight.

Australia’s experience as the first nation to implement a nationwide under-16 social media ban has also revealed several weaknesses in age-verification systems. Reports indicate that some teenagers have successfully bypassed restrictions through various methods. These include manipulating age-estimation tools by altering selfies to appear older, using identification documents belonging to parents, or creating new accounts with false birth dates.

Industry experts say such workarounds demonstrate the limitations of current verification technologies. Tim Levy, managing director of Smoothwall’s parent company Qoria, noted that young people rarely disconnect from the digital world simply because restrictions are introduced.

According to Levy, teenagers tend to adapt quickly to new rules and often seek alternative methods to remain connected with their peers and online communities. This suggests that digital restrictions must be accompanied by broader educational and safety measures if they are to be effective.

As countries such as the United Kingdom consider introducing similar legislation, Australia’s early experience is likely to provide valuable lessons. Policymakers will need to examine both the successes and shortcomings of the Australian model to ensure future regulations strike the right balance between protecting children and recognizing the realities of modern digital behavior.

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