eSafety has commenced a comprehensive evaluation of Australia’s world-first social media minimum age to understand how the new obligation on platforms is working in practice — and what impact it is having on children, young people and families.
This major study will assess how the minimum age is being implemented, examine both intended and unintended impacts, and deliver strong, evidence based insights to guide future decision making. It will also contribute valuable new knowledge to the global conversation about children and young people and social media and wellbeing.
The study will follow over 4000 children and families over more than two-years using a range of complementary research methods, including:
- surveys with children and young people aged 10–16 and their parents and caregivers interviews and group discussions exploring lived experiences
- opt-in, privacy protected smartphone use tracking, capturing high level information only (such as app use, time spent and time of day)
- linking of survey data to administrative datasets, including National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS), and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The study’s design and evaluation instruments are available on the Open Science Framework (OSF). These materials will be updated on an ongoing basis as the evaluation progresses to ensure full transparency.
The project is being led by eSafety’s Research and Evaluation team in partnership with:
- Stanford University’s Social Media Lab (lead academic partner)
- An Academic Advisory Group of 11 leading Australian and international experts in youth wellbeing, psychology, public health, education and technology
More detailed information about the evaluation has been added to eSafety’s Social Media Minimum Age hub at eSafety.gov.au/SMAR where regular updates will be provided. Updates are also available by subscribing to eSafety‘s research news
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the evaluation would include input from a diverse range of sources, including surveys of and discussions with young people themselves.
“We know young people are central to the evaluation 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 center,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“This blended approach brings together academic expertise, youth insight and independent oversight to ensure the evaluation is rigorous, credible and grounded in real world experience.”
The evaluation has received full ethics approval from the Australian Institute for Family Studies Human Research Ethics Committee and meets high standards of academic integrity, privacy and research conduct.
The study will explore a wide range of outcomes, including children’s wellbeing and mental health, their exposure to online risks and harms, and their digital habits and social media patterns. It will also examine help seeking behaviour, family relationships and parenting experiences and, the early experiences and impacts on young people under 16.
Findings will be released progressively through public reports and peer reviewed publications starting later this year and across 2027 and 2028. Initial reports will focus on early experiences and impacts on young people under 16, with deeper and longer term analysis continuing over time.
A legislative review of the Social Media Minimum Age legislation will be conducted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
eSafety expects evaluation outcomes will provide an evidence source alongside wider data, research and community input.