Kids’ Social‑Media Ban Gets a Tougher Grip

The government has doubled the maximum fine for tech firms that fail to enforce a ban on users under 16.
If a company is found guilty of ignoring the rule, it could face up to A$99 million—double the previous limit.

Strengthened Oversight

• The eSafety Commissioner now has the power to order social‑media companies to prove the steps they have taken to stop under‑age account creation.
• Regulators can also request evidence from third‑party services such as age‑verification tools and app stores.

Major Companies Under Investigation

• Meta (Instagram & Facebook)
• Google (YouTube)
• Snap (Snapchat)
• TikTok

Impact So Far

• Over 5 million accounts for people under 16 have been shut or restricted in the six months since the ban began.
• A study published in the British Medical Journal examined 408 Australian teens and found that 85 percent were still active on social media three months after the rule took effect.
• Many children circumvented the ban by claiming they were older than 16 or uploading selfies that platforms accepted as proof of age.

International Attention

• The ban has attracted worldwide interest, with countries like Britain monitoring Australia’s approach as they consider similar limits.
• The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the global push for stricter age limits but noted that big tech still falls short.
• A communications minister criticized platforms as “doing the bare minimum” and using tricks to avoid full compliance.

Legal Challenges

• Reddit is contesting the ban in Australia’s top court, arguing that it infringes on free‑speech rights.
• The government has pledged to defend the law.