Australia will double the maximum fine for social media companies that violate the ban on users under 16 from A$49.5 million to A$99 million (approximately US$68.26 million), the government announced yesterday [1, 2, 3]. The under-16 social media ban law took effect on December 10, 2025, restricting access to 10 platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, Twitch, Threads, Kick, and X [2, 3]. Since then, more than 5 million accounts belonging to users under 16 have been removed, disabled, or blocked [3].
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the current measures are not enough. "We’re calling time on the social media companies today and doubling down on the changes that we have made and that we’re prepared to make," he said. Albanese added, "Today, we’ll introduce legislation this afternoon that goes further to ensure social media companies are doing everything within their power to stop children under 16 being on their platforms" [2].
The government is expanding the powers of the eSafety Commissioner to impose stronger enforcement. The commissioner will have authority to compel social media companies and third-party age verification services to produce documents and evidence related to compliance, including internal board minutes and emails [2, 3]. The commissioner will investigate possible non-compliance on five platforms: Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Google’s YouTube [2].
Communications Minister Anika Wells warned technology companies against attempts to evade the law. "My message to Big Tech is this: We are not stopping. Every effort you make to frustrate these laws will be met with our efforts to make these laws work," she said [2].
New legislation to reinforce enforcement powers was introduced in Parliament on June 29, 2026, following the government announcement on June 28 [2, 3]. The expanded fines and regulator powers aim to reduce persistent under-16 access to social media platforms.
