Australians doubt under-16 social media ban boosts safety

Australians remain unconvinced that the country's under-16 social media ban has made online spaces safer, according to a consumer survey by adtech firm LoopMe. The survey also suggests many expect young users to find ways around the restrictions.

The research, based on responses from 73,841 consumers across Australia, the US and the UK, found only 6% of Australians believe online spaces are now safer and more age-appropriate since the nationwide ban came into force. A quarter said the ban has reduced online harm, while 37% described it as ineffective and 37% said they were unsure.

The findings come amid ongoing international debate over whether age-based bans and access limits reduce risks such as exposure to harmful content, harassment and misinformation, or instead push young people towards less visible platforms and workarounds.

Australia response

In Australia, respondents also voiced scepticism about compliance. Nearly a third, 31%, said they believe many young people are already bypassing restrictions.

Asked about the ban's impact on exposure to harmful content and misinformation, many Australians said they could not judge the outcome. LoopMe found 45% were unsure how the ban has affected exposure, while 27% said it had made little difference.

Awareness of the policy was relatively high in Australia, with 74% of respondents saying they knew about the ban. That compares with 51% in the UK and 36% in the US.

Overseas views

Consumers in the US and UK, where national-level restrictions remain a matter of political and regulatory debate, expressed mixed views on whether a similar ban would work. About half of respondents in each market said a ban would be effective, but sizeable minorities disagreed: 35% of Americans and 29% of Britons said it would not be effective.

Expectations that young users would circumvent restrictions were even higher outside Australia. In the US, 42% said they would expect workarounds, and 40% said the same in the UK.

Perceptions of safety gains were also modest. Only 14% of Americans and 17% of Britons said a ban would make online spaces feel safer and more age-appropriate.

Support levels

Support for introducing bans varied across the three markets. The UK recorded the highest support at 54%, followed by Australia at 43% and the US at 40%.

Opposition was also significant in each market. LoopMe put opposition at 28% in the UK and 37% in the US. The survey summary did not give a single overall opposition figure for Australia, but the results suggest a split public response alongside high awareness and limited confidence in the ban's impact.

LoopMe said the results indicate consumers want protections for young people online, but doubt bans alone will deliver them.

James Parker, LoopMe's Head of APAC, said the findings showed scepticism about blanket restrictions and pointed to other approaches.

"Consumers clearly support levels of protection for young people online, but our research shows real skepticism about whether blanket bans work. Many are unsure the policy is making a meaningful difference, and there's widespread expectation that young users will simply find workarounds. This points to a growing appetite for solutions focused on education, digital resilience, and smarter safeguards, not just prohibition."

The survey was conducted in December 2025 and asked respondents about awareness, attitudes and perceptions around Australia's under-16 social media ban, as well as views on the potential impact of similar measures in the US and UK.

LoopMe, founded in 2012 and headquartered in the UK, sells advertising technology and measurement tools focused on mobile and digital channels. It said the results suggest public pressure will remain on policymakers and platforms to demonstrate measurable improvements in online safety alongside any access restrictions.