The internet watchdog will track thousands of Australian families to assess the impact of the world-first social media ban on teenagers.
The evaluation, led by the eSafety Commission’s research team, aims to understand how the law which kicked in last December works in practice and its effects on children and families.
It will measure how the policy is being implemented, identify intended and unintended consequences, and provide evidence to guide future decisions.
Launched on Thursday, the study will follow 4000 children and families over two years to survey, interview and track smart phones to gather data about time spent on apps.
The social media restrictions require digital platforms to verify users’ ages and close accounts for those younger than 16 to protect them from online harms and reduce mental health risks associated with excessive screen time.
Ten digital platforms were asked to comply with the law, including Google’s YouTube, Meta’s Facebook, Instagram and Threads, as well as Snapchat, Reddit and TikTok.
Platforms that decline to comply with the social media ban face fines of up to $49.5 million.
Talking to young people
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the study would include information from diverse sources, but importantly, from young people themselves.
“We know young people are central to the evaluation,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“That’s why members of the eSafety Youth Council are helping shape the research and interpret emerging findings, ensuring young people’s voices and experiences remain front and centre.”
A range of outcomes will be explored, including children’s wellbeing and mental health, exposure to online harms, and digital habits.
Controversial gaming platform Roblox came under fire earlier this month after young users were persistently being exposed to harmful content in public chats.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said Roblox would continue to be assessed for its compliance with the laws.
Early finding are expected later this year, with further reports and peer-reviewed publications to follow through 2027 and 2028.
The study’s findings will be released through a series of public reports, beginning later this year and progressively over the following two years.
Ethics approval has been granted by the Australian Institute for Family Studies Human Research Ethics Committee, with the regulator saying the project meets high standards for privacy and research integrity.
AAP
