Australia doubles tech fines to 60 million to enforce child social media ban
Australia will double the maximum penalty for tech platforms found in breach of its landmark social media ban for children under 16, the government announced on Saturday, as evidence mounts that the restriction has done little to curb youth access. The move raises the potential fine to nearly €60 million and grants the country’s internet regulator broader powers to investigate circumvention, in a bid to stem widespread bypassing of the December 2025 policy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra that “Big Tech is still not doing enough to comply with the law,” adding that “too many children remain on social media.” The government’s decision follows multiple studies showing that fewer than one in five Australian teens under 16 have been fully blocked from major platforms, despite the ban’s introduction six months ago. Regulators have documented systematic use of age-verification fraud, virtual private networks, and proxy accounts to skirt the restrictions.
Under the revised framework, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will be empowered to demand internal data from platforms, including algorithmic logs and user-registration records, to identify repeat offenders. Companies that fail to implement “reasonable age-assurance measures” face fines escalating from €30 million to €60 million, with additional daily penalties of up to €1.2 million for ongoing violations. The changes take effect immediately, the government said.
International observers note that Australia’s policy remains the world’s most stringent age-based restriction, but early data suggest limited impact on screen-time habits. A June 2026 survey by the University of Sydney found that 68% of 12–15-year-olds in the country still access social media daily, often through encrypted messaging apps or gaming platforms that host social features. Over 40 countries have since explored similar bans, but only a handful—including Estonia and Singapore—have enacted comparable legislation, with mixed enforcement results.
Tech industry groups have warned that blunt penalties risk pushing underage users toward unregulated or foreign platforms, where safeguards are weaker. “We need smarter, not just harder, enforcement,” said a spokesperson for the Digital Industry Group Inc., which represents Meta, TikTok, and X in Australia. The government countered that the expanded powers would allow targeted interventions rather than blanket restrictions, with Albanese stating that “we are closing loopholes, not closing doors to responsible innovation.”
The ACMA has already issued formal warnings to three major platforms this month, marking the first step toward potential fines. Further enforcement actions are expected in the coming weeks as regulators audit compliance systems.
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