Australia Doubles Social Media Ban Fines
Australia has announced tougher enforcement measures for its under-16 social media ban, including a sharp rise in potential penalties for technology companies that fail to keep children off restricted platforms.
Australia Social Media Ban Penalties Doubled
The Australian government said the maximum penalty for systematic failures to comply with the children’s social media ban will increase from A$49.5 million to A$99 million, or about $68 million.
The move is aimed at forcing major technology companies to take stronger action after evidence showed that many teenagers continued to access social media despite the ban. The law is designed to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts on restricted platforms.
eSafety Commissioner Gets Wider Powers
The government also plans to expand the powers of the eSafety Commissioner, Australia’s internet safety regulator. The regulator will be able to demand evidence from social media companies showing what steps they have taken to block underage users.
The proposed changes may also allow the regulator to collect information from third parties, including app stores, to check whether platforms are complying with the law.
Tech Firms Face Under-16 Ban Probe
Platforms under investigation include Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok. Authorities are examining whether these companies are doing enough to stop children from bypassing age restrictions.
The government’s tougher position follows findings that the ban has had limited impact on teen social media use. One study found that 85% of children aged 12 to 15 were still accessing social media within three months of the ban, often by giving false ages or bypassing age-verification systems.
Australia’s under-16 social media ban has drawn global attention as governments worldwide consider stronger online safety rules for children.
