Australia strengthens enforcement of under-16 social media ban

Australia introduced new legislation to give the eSafety Commissioner stronger powers to enforce the under‑16 social‑media ban introduced in December. The bill doubles maximum penalties to AU$99 million, allows the regulator to compel documents such as board minutes and internal emails, and targets platforms including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Google’s YouTube. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said many children remain on these platforms and urged rapid passage so legal action can begin.

The government faces political push‑back as the Greens and some opposition members call for a Senate inquiry before the bill passes, warning that delays would postpone accountability for big‑tech firms. Critics argue the amendments may invite costly litigation without clearly defining reasonable steps for compliance. The move is being watched by dozens of countries considering similar age‑restriction laws.