‘Enforcement mode’: Australia must take fight to tech giants to make social media ban stick, experts warn

Australian experts are urging the government to move beyond doubling fines for social media platforms that breach the under-16 ban, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement. The government announced legislation to increase penalties to $99 million and grant the eSafety commissioner greater information-gathering powers. However, research indicates many under-16s are still accessing platforms, with approximately 80% remaining online. Experts argue that a digital duty of care, which would hold platforms accountable for content and algorithms, is a more effective policy than exclusion. The Greens advocate for regulating social media algorithms, while the shadow communications minister criticized the increased penalties as an admission of the ban's failure.

Australia is increasing the maximum penalty for social media platforms that violate the nation's ban on under-16s accessing certain platforms. The penalty will double to $99 million. This change, effective from December 2025, also empowers the eSafety Commissioner to demand proof of compliance from companies. Despite the ban on 10 key platforms, many children under 16 are reportedly still accessing them. Investigations into Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube are underway due to alleged non-compliance. The government stated these harsher penalties demonstrate a commitment to holding platforms accountable for insufficient enforcement of the ban.

The Australian government plans to strengthen laws that ban children under 16 from social media platforms, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This move comes in response to evidence suggesting the existing ban, implemented in December of the previous year, has been ineffective. Data indicates a high percentage of underage children continue to hold accounts on major platforms. The government is reviewing the strength of current laws and the powers of the eSafety Commissioner to enforce them. Other countries are also introducing or considering similar age-based restrictions for children's social media access. Australia aims to hold platforms accountable for harms caused by their content and algorithms through strengthened legislation.

A study in Australia found that over 80% of under-16s continue to use social media three months after a ban was implemented in December 2025. The University of Newcastle study of 408 adolescents concluded the legislation has had limited implementation and substantial circumvention, with inadequate age verification checks being a major factor. Many teenagers used fake accounts or VPNs to bypass restrictions. Experts suggest that bans alone are insufficient to protect children from harmful online content and a more comprehensive strategy is needed, with implications for other countries considering similar legislation. The study indicates the ban may be more effective for younger children than adolescents already using social media.