Australian Social Media Age Checks Still Ineffective

Australia’s social media ban for users younger than 16 years old hit early challenges. The study has shown that major platforms are failing to consistently apply verification methods for accounts claiming to be of age.

Researchers from software testing firm KJR, which led the government’s 2025 age assurance trial, said that they created 50 test accounts across nine of the 10 platforms covered by the law. The test found none of the accounts were asked to verify their age when claiming to be 16, although no platforms allowed self-declared underage users to register. The test accounts spanned platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. Only the Australian live streaming platform Kick required proof of age before allowing the registration of an account claiming to be 16.

The findings point to a gap in the first stage of age assurance, where platforms are expected to identify potential underage users through their online activity before escalating them to stronger verification methods. “You should be asked to demonstrate how old you are, and not once have we been asked to verify our age or use age-assurance measures,” KJR director Andrew Hammond told the publication. He added that several accounts were shown youth banking ads, indicating that platforms had identified them as teenagers. One account on X was apparently exposed to pornographic content.

Meta Platforms disputed the findings, saying that the shadow trial appeared inconsistent with regulatory guidance, which calls for platforms to escalate to formal age verification when behavioural indicators suggest they may be underage, or when an account is reported. The company added that the dummy accounts declared themselves above the minimum age, and it was uncertain whether they behaved like genuine under-16 users.