New poll reveals many Aussies question if social media crackdown for kids will work

Two-thirds of Aussie adults support the Albanese Government’s social media ban for kids under 16, but a new poll has laid bare how many are concerned kids will find a way around it.

Demographic polling group DemosAu found almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of Aussies support the ruling, which bans under 16s from using social media.

Australia’s world-first social media crackdown is backed by the majority of adults - particularly parents - new research reveals.

Demographic polling group DemosAu found almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of Aussies support the ruling, which bans under 16s from using social media.

The poll of more than 800 people found that those aged over 55 were highly supportive of the ban with 72 per cent in favour, while more than half (57 per cent) of young adults aged between 18-34 also approved.

Women were more likely to support the ban with 68 per cent in favour compared to 59 per cent of men.

The Online Safety Amendment Bill 2024 passed through parliament earlier this month requiring “age‐restricted social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 years old from having accounts”.

The bill was passed off the back of The Sunday Mail’s Let Them Be Kids campaign, which advocated for restricted social media use for children under 16, following a worrying rise of teen suicides in Australia linked to social media use.

At least four Queensland teens suicided in 2024 after becoming victims of cyber-bullying.

The Albanese Government proposed the social media ban after the Let Them Be Kids campaign started a petition to raise the age of social media access to 16. The petition has since gained more than 54,000 signatures.

The DemosAU poll found that although the majority of adults support the laws, more than half (53 per cent) of people question how effective they will be in keeping kids off social media, with concerns that under 16s will still “get access using their parents or older friend’s social media accounts”.

Young adults (18-34 years) were the most likely to believe the ban would be effective in restricting social media use.

“We found that the majority of people supported the social media ban but when we asked about the effectiveness of the law, many respondents indicated concern,” said DemosAU head of research George Hasanakos.

“Interestingly, parents were more likely than non-parents to believe the law will be effective, which may indicate some parents’ willingness to enforce the ban at home.

“Maybe they also see it in the same vein as the government – that social media is a huge issue for young people’s mental health and they want to see the law work.”

The poll, which was conducted between December 5-6, also asked respondents which social media apps should be banned.

A third of people were in favour of YouTube being banned, while about a quarter of respondents wanted Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat to be restricted.