New social media laws expose gaps as under-16s find workarounds

Australia's social media ban for under-16s, which came into force earlier this year, is already showing signs of failing to achieve its goal, with research cited by the Guardian revealing that more than 80 per cent of under-16s are still accessing the platforms three months later. For Tasmania's parents, educators, and young people, the finding suggests that legislative approaches alone cannot address the underlying risks of harmful online content.

Experts quoted in the research argue that the law itself is insufficient and that 'a more convincing strategy is required' to protect young people from online harms. The issue extends beyond individual parental supervision to questions about platform design, age verification technology, and whether the regulatory framework is keeping pace with how young people actually use digital tools.

For Tasmania's schools, youth services, and family support organisations, the disconnect between the legal ban and actual teen behaviour underscores the need for educational approaches alongside regulation. The findings may also prompt local discussions about how the state's own child safety infrastructure can better equip families and educators to manage online risks in a way that legislation alone cannot solve.

Sources: theguardian.com.

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