A new study suggests Australia’s “world-first” ban targeting social media access for children under 16 has had little effect on youth access levels after about six months. The policy, which Australia has presented alongside tougher penalties for non-compliance, is intended to restrict underage use of major social platforms. However, researchers report that platforms are not fully meeting early compliance expectations, and that young users’ ability to access these services appears largely unchanged. Both outlets describe findings that indicate the ban is not effectively limiting access in practice at this early stage. While the government’s approach emphasizes enforcement through penalties, the study’s results point to challenges in implementation and verification processes that would reduce under-16 access. The reporting highlights that the policy’s impact is limited so far, raising questions about whether the intended restrictions are being enforced effectively across platforms. The study’s conclusions are based on conditions during the initial months after the rule begins.