A study assessing Australia’s new social media ban for users under 16 finds that major platforms frequently do not carry out age verification at the point of account creation. Reported across multiple outlets, the researchers used software testing to open 50 accounts that entered a birthdate showing the user as 16, after the law took effect. They found that none of the accounts were asked to provide proof of age, meaning the platforms did not appear to trigger age checks in those cases. The testing covered nine of the 10 platforms covered by the law. The findings suggest that the “first hurdle” of the compliance process—verifying age before allowing access—is not working as intended, at least under the study’s test conditions. While the reports describe the regulator’s view that “layered” checks can be sufficient if implemented correctly, the study indicates the required verification steps were not requested for the test accounts. The results add pressure on regulators and platforms to ensure the age-check regime operates consistently and prevents under-16 users from bypassing restrictions by supplying a false age.