Australian teens largely bypass under‑16 internet ban, government defends policy

The Australian government has reiterated its support for the recent ban on [the restricted product/service], despite a newly released report indicating that the majority of teenagers have discovered methods to circumvent the prohibition. The report, compiled by an independent research group, surveyed a cross‑section of adolescents across multiple states and found that more than 60 percent of respondents were able to access the banned item through alternative channels, including overseas online retailers and peer‑to‑peer sharing networks.

In response, officials from the Department of Health and Aged Care emphasized that the ban remains a critical component of broader public‑health and safety strategies, arguing that it serves to deter widespread use and signal governmental commitment to protecting young people. They noted that the findings underscore the need for continued enforcement and complementary measures, such as education campaigns and tighter regulation of digital marketplaces, to address the loopholes identified in the study. The government has pledged to monitor compliance closely and to consider additional policy adjustments to strengthen the effectiveness of the ban.