Australia made headlines around the world as the first country to trial a social media ban for under-16s—but months into the rollout, a landmark eSafety report reveals a surprising reality: more than 80% of kids are still scrolling.

Brent is joined by information sciences expert Professor Lisa M. Given from RMIT University to break down why the ban isn't going to plan, how kids are bypassing tech company loopholes, and what it means for digital safety.


The 80% Reality: Analysing the eSafety Commissioner’s evaluation report showing overall usage only dropped marginally from 85.9% to 81.5%.


Flawed Tech Implementation: Why over half of surveyed kids were never asked to verify their age, with 37% simply typing in an older birthdate to breeze past checks.


The Logged-Out Loophole: How unlogged browsing allows children to keep consuming content without an active account.


Unintended Consequences: Exploring how the restrictions have left parents less aware of online habits and pushed kids toward less-regulated alternative spaces.


Fixing the Root Cause: Why experts argue that focusing on age limits fails to address harmful platform design features like endless scrolling and addictive algorithms.

If you want to look past the political headlines and understand the actual data behind the digital ban, this is an essential listen.

Australia made headlines around the world as the first country to trial a social media ban for under-16s&mdash;but months into the rollout, a landmark eSafety report reveals a surprising reality: more than 80% of kids are still scrolling.
Brent is joined by information sciences expert&nbsp;Professor Lisa M. Given from RMIT University to break down why the ban isn't going to plan, how kids are bypassing tech company loopholes, and what it means for digital safety.
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<li>
The 80% Reality: Analysing the eSafety Commissioner&rsquo;s evaluation report showing overall usage only dropped marginally from 85.9% to 81.5%.
</li>
<li>
Flawed Tech Implementation: Why over half of surveyed kids were never asked to verify their age, with 37% simply typing in an older birthdate to breeze past checks.
</li>
<li>
The Logged-Out Loophole: How unlogged browsing allows children to keep consuming content without an active account.
</li>
<li>
Unintended Consequences: Exploring how the restrictions have left parents less aware of online habits and pushed kids toward less-regulated alternative spaces.
</li>
<li>
Fixing the Root Cause: Why experts argue that focusing on age limits fails to address harmful platform design features like endless scrolling and addictive algorithms.
</li>
</ul>
If you want to look past the political headlines and understand the actual data behind the digital ban, this is an essential listen.

Join Brent Bultitude every weekend for lively chats with industry insiders and special guests! Covering the latest trends and exciting topics, it's your go-to for fresh insights and fun conversations.

Tune in for your weekend fix of thought-provoking conversation!

Join&nbsp;Brent Bultitude&nbsp;every weekend for lively chats with industry insiders and special guests! Covering the latest trends and exciting topics, it's your go-to for fresh insights and fun conversations.
Tune in for your weekend fix of thought-provoking conversation!

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Brent’s Business background and personality are fundamental to asking the right people the right questions with interviews, the latest news, quizzes, music and your calls on 13 12 69.

Plus Brent interviews many more people that are going to tell us what’s going from stories in the news to the things you care about.

Brent&rsquo;s Business background and personality are fundamental to asking the right people the right questions with interviews, the latest news, quizzes, music and your calls on 13 12 69. Plus Brent interviews many more people that are going to tell us what&rsquo;s going from stories in the news to the things you care about.