Regulator Set for New Powers Under Australia’s Social Media Laws
Synopsis
Australia will introduce new legislation to strengthen its under-16 social media ban, granting the internet regulator broader powers to take legal action against technology companies that fail to comply with the rules.
Australia is cracking down on its under-16s social media law, proposing changes that would give the nation’s online safety regulator stronger powers to target tech companies and prosecute those who don’t play by the rules.
The bill proposes a jump in the highest civil penalties from A$49.5m (US$33 million) to A$99 million. It would also allow the eSafety Commissioner to seek internal documents from tech companies, including their board minutes, email correspondence, and records of steps they took to stop children under 16 from opening and keeping a social media account.
The changes are designed to improve compliance with the above legislation that entered into force in December 2025.
Compliance Remains Under Scrutiny
The enforcement of the laws is being monitored. The latest proposed bill follows probes by state attorneys-general that determined there was insufficient proof that several large social media platforms were enforcing measures against illegal children.
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube are among those that were considered, according to the eSafety Commissioner. Over 5 million children younger than 16 have had accounts deleted, restricted, or inactivated since the new laws were put in place last year.
But the government says children can still access pared-down platforms and additional enforcement mechanisms are necessary.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stressed that social media companies are responsible for ensuring they comply with the rules. Meanwhile, Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that the regulator needs more power to check for compliance.
Australia's proposed age verification laws were preceded by an increase in the age that many parents said they’re comfortable with their children’s youngest use of digital devices to 16 years of age or older.
Australia Joins Broader Global Push
Australia, one of the early countries worldwide to impose age restrictions on social media use among children under 16, joins several governments in a movement towards tighter age controls.
The UK has adopted rules for safeguarding minors, while various U.S. States, including Florida, have enacted age-restricted laws that are now facing legal challenges.
Australia’s proposed law aligns with global trends in regulating digital platforms, and its eSafety Commissioner has pointed out that while age-restricted platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from signing up, the onus is on the tech companies to execute these steps effectively.
Source: Reuters
Follow Inspirepreneur Magazine for daily global business news.
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
You Might Also Like
China Fires Rockets In Biggest Ever Taiwan Drills
Revolutionizing PepsiCo: A Case Study on Indra Nooyi’s Visionary Leadership
