A trial is testing ways to enforce Australia’s under-16s social media ban. But the tech is flawed
- Written by Alexia Maddox, Senior Lecturer in Pedagogy and Education Futures, La Trobe University

Australia’s move to ban under-16s from social media is receiving widespread praise. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore and Japan, are also now reportedly considering similar moves.
The ban was legislated in November 2024 and is due to take effect in December 2025. The law says social media...