Australia to double potential fines over child social media accounts
Australia plans to double potential fines for social media platforms that fail to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts. The government announced it would introduce draft legislation to increase the maximum fine to 99 million Australian dollars for non-compliant platforms. The move comes after critics argued that the world-first ban on under-16s was failing due to the platforms' resistance to age restrictions.
- ▪The Australian government will introduce draft legislation to double the maximum fine for non-compliant social media platforms.
- ▪The eSafety Commissioner will be given increased powers to demand information and documents from platforms to ensure compliance.
- ▪The ban on under-16s has been in place since December 10, but many children have found ways to circumvent it.
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World Australia to double potential fines over child social media accounts June 29, 20262:46 AM ET By The Associated Press A logon screen for Facebook and the new Meta policy are photographed in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 20, 2025. Rick Rycroft/AP hide caption toggle caption Rick Rycroft/AP MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia plans to double potential fines for social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, who fail to prevent Australian children from holding accounts as critics argue the world-first ban on under-16s was failing.
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