Parents running Instagram shops featuring their children could escape the Under 16 social media ban provided it’s a parent account and not a teen account that they manage.

The Under‑16 social media ban restricts accounts managed by parents if the featured user is under 16. But what if it is wholly a parent account?

A review of young Australian Instagram influencer sites indexed by FeedSpot shows not only teenage influencers but also dozens of child influencers modeling clothes, selling merchandise, or promoting gaming and dance. Many of those featured are young children and some have more than a million followers. These accounts remain active.

While the law clearly applies to sites managed by under‑16 users, some parents expressed confusion. “We are not sure if the account will be suspended,” said one mother. “I own this account, but I’m not sure what will happen.”

It is understood if the account is owned and operated by a parent to promote their child/teen, but the child/teen had no access to use it, there shouldn’t be an issue in relation to this ban. The parent takes responsibility.

“We note that different platforms may have different options for how certain influencer accounts can be managed and users are encouraged to review the terms of use and policies of the relevant platforms to see what options are available them,” an eSafety spokesperson said.

Teen influencers who operate their own Instagram businesses or have their account managed by a parent face a different situation. However, they could have their parent set up a fresh account and, provided only their parent used it, stay within the law. But there are options and opportunities.

Channel News Australia this week spoke with comedian and content creator Anisa Nanduala, who offered advice to young teen influencers facing account shutdowns. She emphasized the importance of commerce diversification.

She suggested teens explore a wide range of online outlets — from personal websites and blogging platforms like WordPress or Wix, to marketplaces such as eBay, Etsy, Amazon, Bonanza, and Shopify. Building multiple channels, she said, not only spreads risk but also strengthens their brand beyond a single platform.

“You can create your own website. There are programs like Weebly, where you can very easily design it yourself, you don’t need to hire someone, you can make an online store that way. Yeah, there’s a lot of options. Before I started selling myself as a product online, I did door-to-door sales, learned to build rapport, learned to speak – skills that are going to assist further on,” says Nanduala.

She sees a future for young teens as savvy digital natives, not digital addicts and digital slaves.

“As a content creator, I can tell you that every single video is designed to heighten your emotions. It’s designed to make you feel enraged, sad, very happy, crazy. That is what keeps you on the apps. That is what maintains your attention for the whole video. But is that good for your mental health?

“Sometimes social media is just to talk to family. For me, it’s strictly for business and not when I’m sad or I’m unhappy, or I’m bored, because if that’s the state of mind, it will claim eight hours of my life. That’s what it’s designed to do.”