Australia's Social Media Age Ban Faces Loopholes, Indonesia Watches Closely
Australia has encountered enforcement problems with its social media age restriction rules that came into effect late last year. A study has revealed that the ban contains loopholes, allowing children aged 16 and under to continue using social media platforms.
Australian regulations prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media. Platforms are required to take a number of steps to comply, while the government has also recommended several age verification methods.
To measure implementation, a software testing team conducted a trial by creating 50 social media accounts for users aged 16. All accounts were distributed across nine social media platforms that are supposed to bar children from accessing them.
The study results revealed that the platforms did not request age verification for the 50 accounts created after the rules took effect, Reuters reported on Wednesday (8/7/2026). Reuters noted a shortcoming of the rule: the verification process focuses on the accuracy of photo-based age estimation software. However, the technology failed to detect underage users in subsequent checks.
“You should have been asked to show your age, and it turned out we were not asked to verify our age or use any age assurance measures,” said Andrew Hammond, a director at testing firm KJR, which conducted the trial in 2025.
The study also found that some accounts received advertisements for youth banking products. One account registered on X even received pornographic content.
Australian live streaming platform Kick was the only platform that refused to allow users to create an account without proof of age. Snap and TikTok declined to comment, while Google and X did not respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, a Meta spokesperson said the shadow testing appeared inconsistent with regulatory guidelines, which would escalate to formal age verification when behavioural indicators suggest a user might be underage or is reported.
Indonesia has a similar regulation, the PP Tunas, which imposes age restrictions. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria highlighted the phenomenon of age manipulation, noting that it is easy for anyone to do. Collaboration with platforms is underway to provide technological solutions, including platform trials of Age Inferential technology.
Age Inferential is an algorithmic technology for user profiling. It observes user habits within the platform to determine consumption patterns. If a child’s consumption pattern is detected on an adult account, harmful content will be automatically blocked. “If they usually access children’s content and suddenly there is an anomaly or abnormality in access, it will be automatically read, concluded, and blocked,” he explained. “Until it is determined whether they are of sufficient age or not. That is what we are currently exercising.”
Nezar also explained that discussions are ongoing regarding the use of face recognition. He stressed the need to consider data protection for children and comply with relevant regulations. “And we must comply with all regulations as well. For instance, this regulation should not clash with other regulations,” he said.