The Australian government has introduced legislation to double the maximum penalties for social media platforms that fail to comply with the nation’s mandatory age-verification laws, raising potential fines to $99m. This move follows ongoing reports that children under 16 continue to access restricted platforms despite a nationwide ban implemented in December 2025.
Why the Australian Government is Increasing Penalties
The Australian government is targeting social media companies it claims are failing to prevent underage use. According to a government statement released on Saturday, the decision to double fines to $99m is intended to force platforms to take more substantial action. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that while the government has observed a shift in global momentum regarding age-restricted access, “big tech are not doing enough to comply with the law.”
The eSafety Commissioner, Australia’s independent regulator, has launched investigations into five major platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. These investigations aim to determine if these companies are meeting their legal obligations under the current framework. Minister for Communications Anika Wells expressed dissatisfaction with current industry efforts, accusing platforms of using “tricks straight out of the big tech playbook” to bypass the spirit of the law.
How the Enforcement Gap Affects Users
Despite the government’s December 2025 ban, evidence suggests that the practical impact on underage usage has been limited. A report from the eSafety Commission found that seven out of 10 children who held a social media account prior to the ban still maintain “some access” to these platforms.
This finding is supported by on-the-ground observations. In February, the BBC reported that a majority of students at a Sydney school confirmed they were still able to access banned apps, illustrating the difficulty in enforcing digital age restrictions. The government’s new legislation seeks to close this gap by granting the eSafety Commissioner enhanced powers to compel companies to provide documented evidence of their compliance measures.
What Other Nations Are Doing
Australia’s legislative approach has influenced policy discussions abroad. The United Kingdom has signaled its intent to follow a similar path. In June 2026, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to introduce a ban on social media for children under 16, with a target implementation date of spring 2027.
The proposed UK framework differs slightly in scope, as it focuses on platforms whose primary purpose is to “enable social interaction and which allow users to post material.” Furthermore, the UK government is currently evaluating additional safety measures, including an overnight curfew and restrictions on infinite scrolling features for users under 18.
Key Facts Regarding the Australian Ban
* Maximum Penalty: Increased to $99m for non-compliance.
* Primary Regulator: The eSafety Commissioner holds the authority to investigate and enforce compliance.
* Targeted Platforms: Investigations are active regarding Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
* Core Issue: Independent reports indicate that many children previously on these platforms retain some form of access.
* International Context: The UK government has announced plans to mirror the Australian approach by 2027.
Worth a look