Australia Toughens Kids' Social Media Ban, Doubles Potential Penalties for Tech Firms
The reforms would give Australia’s online safety watchdog police-like powers as a study found 85% of teens still used social media after the ban.
- On Saturday, the Australian government announced it would double the maximum fine for platforms violating its under-16 social media ban to $99 million, raising the ceiling from the previous $49.5 million limit in place since December 2025.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells initiated the changes after months of evidence showed teens continued accessing restricted platforms, with one study finding 85 percent of interviewed young Australians still using social media.
- Minister Wells accused platforms of "adopting tricks straight out of the big tech playbook and doing the bare minimum to get by," prompting the government to expand eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant's authority to demand evidence from third-party providers.
- Reddit has challenged the ban in Australia's highest court on free speech grounds, while senior opposition lawmaker Jane Hume suggested her party might support reforms, describing the original legislation as "undercooked."
- Other nations, including the United Kingdom, are closely watching Australia's experiment as they consider similar restrictions, though analysts warn that increasing penalties may not prevent teens from bypassing age-verification technology.
96 Articles
96 Articles
Australia plans to double the amount of fines for platforms that violate its new rules. At the same time, many young Australians are still illegally active on the networks. In Europe, several tracks are explored.Is the bet lost? Or is the prelude to a battle that will be waged over time? Questions are increasing in Australia. We remember, mid-December 2025, the island-continent became a global laboratory for regulating social networks against yo…
Australia doubles down on under-16 social media ban with $99 million fines
Australia admits its social media ban for minors under 16 is failing, with over 85% of teens still using platforms. The government is doubling fines to $99 million AUD and expanding surveillance powers despite enforcement challenges. A BMJ study found no substantive reduction in teen social media use, with daily use unchanged among 12-to-13-year-olds. Age […]
Australia Moves to Double Fines on Social Media Platforms For Failing to Keep Kids Off Platforms
Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date. Australia has announced that it will double the fines it can hit social media companies with for failing to keep kids off their platforms. Some shit you should know before you d…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
