Days before Australia's social media ban, teens race to find loopholes

To comply, tech companies must been to be taking "reasonable steps" to enforce the measures or face fines of up to €26.19 million ($49.5 million AUD). In the lead-up to the ban, younger teens have been sharing tips on how to dodge age checks, swapping VPN advice and encouraging one another to download lesser-known apps like Yope and Lemon8, both of which are now on the Australian government's watchlist as their popularity soars.

Read moreWhy is Australia banning children under 16 from social media – and can they enforce it?

The Digital Freedom Project, a Sydney-based group representing concerned teenagers, has filed an official complaint at the Australian High Court, arguing the ban is unconstitutional and risks pushing children into more unregulated online spaces. The court has agreed to a directions hearing on February 25, 2026. 

Globally, the rollout is being watched closely. Malaysia announced plans for a similar policy last year, while the UK, EU and several US states are tightening their safety rules without imposing outright bans. 

We take a closer look in this edition of Tech 24.