The Australian government has announced plans to strengthen enforcement of its world-first social media restrictions for children by doubling the maximum financial penalty for technology companies that systematically fail to prevent users under the age of 16 from accessing their platforms.
Under the proposed changes, the maximum civil penalty for non-compliant companies would increase from A$49.5 million to A$99 million. The move is part of the Albanese government’s efforts to tighten implementation of the country’s under-16 social media law, which came into effect in December 2025.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said technology companies must do more to comply with Australian law and protect children online. Communications Minister Anika Wells said major social media platforms had not done enough to stop underage users from creating or maintaining accounts despite the legal requirement.
The government also plans to expand the information-gathering powers of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, enabling the regulator to compel social media companies to provide evidence demonstrating the measures they have taken to prevent children under 16 from accessing their services. The proposed amendments would also allow the regulator to seek information from third parties, including app stores and other digital service providers, to verify compliance.
Australia introduced the under-16 social media restrictions as part of broader efforts to enhance online safety for children. The law requires platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users below the minimum age from creating or retaining accounts. Companies that fail to comply may face substantial financial penalties imposed by the courts.
The latest proposal follows compliance reviews indicating that many children continue to access social media despite the restrictions. Government officials said investigations are continuing into several major platforms over their implementation of age-verification and enforcement measures.
According to the government, more than five million underage accounts have been removed, restricted or deactivated since the law came into force. However, authorities maintain that additional regulatory powers are needed to ensure platforms fully meet their obligations under the legislation.
The proposed legislative amendments are expected to be introduced to Parliament, although the government has not announced a timeline for their passage. If approved, the changes would significantly increase the financial consequences for technology companies found to have systematically failed to enforce Australia’s child social media restrictions.
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