The new social media ban in Australia for under-16s has barely begun, but it’s already facing criticism. Despite the government’s best efforts to stop kids from accessing platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, many teens have already found clever ways around the restrictions. It’s day one, and the loopholes are already being exploited.
The Challenges of the Social Media Ban: Flaws in Age Verification
From the moment the social media ban was announced, there was an underlying concern: could age verification really be foolproof? The answer, it turns out, is no. On the first day, parents and teens quickly discovered that the age verification systems in place weren’t as effective as expected. Cassandra from Mollymook, NSW, shared her frustration with ABC News when she found her 14-year-old son still had access to Snapchat, even after changing his age to 23. “How is this possible?” she asked. The answer lies in the flaws in the technology being used to verify users’ ages.
But it’s not just age verification that’s proving to be a hurdle. Teens have also discovered other workarounds, such as using VPNs or altering their appearance to pass facial recognition checks. Some have even used makeup to appear older in the photos required for age verification. One mother reported that her 12-year-old daughter and her friends had managed to get past the photo verification by simply adding fake lashes and makeup. It’s clear that the systems in place are not as secure as the government had hoped.
Parents Are Frustrated
Many parents have taken to social media to express their frustrations. Some are reporting that their kids are still able to access social media, even though they should be banned. “My 13-year-old son passed the age verification face scan by scrunching his face and hiding his teeth. It guessed his age as 30+,” said Matt from Queensland. These kinds of workarounds have left many feeling that the government’s plan is flawed from the start.
Despite these challenges, the government insists that the ban will eventually work. Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that social media companies would continue to monitor under-16 accounts and remove them over time. She acknowledged that there would be “teething issues,” but assured the public that the loopholes would be closed.
Teens Not Giving Up
The reality is that many teens are simply too tech-savvy for the current age verification systems. They’ve grown up navigating the internet and social media platforms, and finding ways to bypass restrictions comes naturally to them. As one 15-year-old named Tyson said, “The people you’re trying to get off it are the first ones to figure out how to get back on.” As the ban progresses, it’s likely that social media companies will have to implement stricter age verification systems and better enforcement tools.
But for now, the system is far from perfect. It’s clear that for the ban to be successful, there needs to be a more sophisticated approach that accounts for the tech-savvy nature of today’s youth. For parents, it’s also a reminder that controlling what kids do online is a constant battle, and it’s important to stay informed and involved in their digital lives. The government’s intent to protect kids is commendable, but without better safeguards, the social media ban might be more of a hurdle than a solution.
