Kids are outsmarting social media bans. That’s not a problem we need to solve.

Several countries are introducing laws to restrict minors' access to social media platforms.

In July 2024, France joined Australia in banning children under 15 from major platforms, though France's ban was later blocked by its top court on human rights grounds.

The UK plans to forbid kids under 16 from accessing platforms like Facebook and TikTok starting in early 2027, while the EU aims to prohibit social media for those under 15.

These bans are designed to protect young users from potential harms online, such as exposure to inappropriate content or interactions with strangers.

However, the article highlights that such restrictions often fail to achieve their intended goals, as teens frequently find ways to bypass them.

For example, a 2024 study found that 80% of teens under 16 in Australia successfully accessed banned platforms using methods like using a sibling’s ID or altering their appearance in photos.