Australia’s world-first social media ban is exactly two weeks away, and as platforms work out how to stop underage kids from having accounts, it seems some of their own AI chatbots could be working against them.

10 News+ put questions to automated chat systems and found that, shockingly, some told kids how to dodge the new rules.

X’s Grok provided an in-depth list of ways children can stay connected, including by using a VPN. Meta AI explained that using a VPN, lying about age or using a false ID might work – but also acknowledged that it’s risky, not recommended and that platforms will try to stop it.

Under the changes, children will be blocked from apps like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X.

Australian users won’t be fined for breaking the rules, but tech companies face fines of up to $50 million.

Some psychologists are questioning how it will work – as are the children at the frontline of the ban, who had the chance to put those queries to the man in charge, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Watch more from 10 News+ at 10.com.au