Australia has announced it will double the maximum fines imposed on social media platforms that fail to comply with its ban on users under the age of 16, aiming to address widespread circumvention of the rules. The revised legislation, unveiled on June 27, increases the maximum penalty for systemic breaches to approximately Aus$99 million (about $68 million), up from the previous Aus$49 million. Additionally, the government is expanding the powers of the eSafety Commissioner, the country’s independent online regulator, to compel social media companies to provide detailed evidence of the measures they have taken to prevent underage access.

The regulatory body is currently investigating five major platforms for potential noncompliance: Facebook and Instagram (both owned by Meta), Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. Since the ban took effect on December 10, over five million accounts identified as belonging to under-16 users have reportedly been blocked. Despite these efforts, evidence suggests that many underage users continue to access social media by using accounts registered to older individuals, creating fake profiles, or employing private browser modes to circumvent age restrictions.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government’s commitment to enforcing the ban, stating that major technology companies have not sufficiently complied with the law. Communications Minister Anika Wells expressed similar concerns, criticizing platforms for implementing only minimal measures and pledging tougher enforcement. Under the new legislation, the eSafety Commissioner will have the authority to demand information not only from social media companies but also from third parties such as age verification services and app store operators, enhancing oversight capabilities.

The Australian ban, described as world-leading, has drawn international attention as other countries consider similar restrictions on underage social media use. However, one of the first peer-reviewed studies evaluating the policy, published recently in a medical journal, found “insufficient evidence” of its effectiveness. Researchers surveyed more than 400 young people before and three months after the ban’s introduction and reported substantial circumvention. The study indicated little change in usage among 12- to 13-year-olds, a slight reduction for those aged 14-15, and an increase among users aged 16 and older.

While some experts and parents have welcomed the measures as a necessary step to address concerns over the negative effects of extensive social media use on young people’s well-being, social media companies have warned that the ban might drive teenagers toward unregulated online environments that could be more harmful. Platforms maintain that they bear sole responsibility for verifying user ages in Australia and have implemented various methods to comply, including artificial intelligence tools that estimate age based on photos and options for users to submit government-issued identification.

The government’s new approach reflects a balance between enforcing regulatory standards and addressing the challenges associated with age verification in the digital landscape, signaling continued scrutiny and evolving oversight in the rapidly changing social media sector.