The Australian government has announced plans to double the maximum fine for social media companies that do not enforce the nation’s ban on children under 16 using their platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that technology firms need to do more to comply with the under-16 social media prohibition. The proposed legislation aims to raise the maximum penalty from 49.5 million Australian dollars to 99 million AUD for companies failing to prevent underage users.
The government’s decision to toughen penalties follows concerns about the high number of underage children accessing social media platforms. Albanese expressed the government’s commitment to enforcing the law and ensuring social media companies adhere to the regulations. The implementation of the world-first ban in December 2025 has faced challenges, with a recent study revealing that over 85 percent of children under 16 still use social media despite the restrictions.
In addition to increasing fines, the government plans to grant the eSafety Commissioner enhanced authority to compel social media companies to demonstrate their efforts in preventing under-16s from using their services. The legislative changes are set to be introduced to the federal parliament before the commencement of the annual winter break. The move underscores the government’s determination to hold social media platforms accountable for underage usage and enforce stricter regulations.
Australia’s innovative social media age restrictions for users under 16 have shown limited effectiveness, according to a recent study. The research found that a significant majority of underage users continued to access restricted platforms, often through their personal accounts or alternative means. The study, conducted by Australia’s University of Newcastle, monitored adolescent behavior before and after the implementation of the Online Safety Amendment Act, which mandates major platforms to block underage users.
