Australia to double fines on Big Tech as children bypass social media ban
Australia plans to increase penalties for social media companies failing to keep children under 16 off their platforms. The maximum fine will rise from A$49.5 million to A$99 million, and the eSafety Commissioner will gain stronger enforcement powers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that tech giants are still not doing enough to comply with the country's under-16 social media ban. On Saturday, the government unveiled new legislation that will double the maximum penalty for systemic breaches to 99 million Australian dollars ($68 million), up from 49.5 million Australian dollars ($31 million).
The eSafety Commissioner will also receive enhanced powers to compel platforms to comply, including the ability to request documents and evidence from platforms, age-verification companies, and app stores. The regulator is currently investigating potential violations by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
The ban, which took effect on December 10, 2025, positioned Australia as a global test case for countries seeking to restrict children's access to social media. The United Kingdom, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and New Zealand are among nations monitoring or considering similar measures.
Despite the prohibition, children have continued to circumvent the rules by using accounts registered to older individuals, creating fake profiles, or logging in through private browsers. A peer-reviewed evaluation published this month in the British Medical Journal found "insufficient evidence" that the ban had significantly reduced social media use among young people. The study surveyed over 400 children before the measure took effect and again three months later, noting substantial circumvention.
The government says it has blocked more than five million accounts held by under-16s. However, Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that platforms are still falling short and employing tactics to do the bare minimum.
Under the new powers, the eSafety Commissioner can demand documents and evidence from platforms, age-checking companies, and app stores. Platforms must demonstrate they have taken "reasonable steps" to exclude under-16s. Some use artificial intelligence to estimate ages, while users can verify their age with government-issued ID.
