Australia raises maximum social media penalty

The Australian government has announced that it will double the maximum fine for companies that fail to comply with the country's social media rules for users under the age of 16, raising the penalty to 99 million Australian dollars.

According to ABC News, the government has prepared new legislation that would strengthen enforcement measures against technology companies as part of its under-16 social media restrictions, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Under the proposed changes, the powers of Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, will be expanded. She will be able to require social media companies to provide evidence of the steps they have taken to enforce the age limit.

Third-party companies that provide age verification services to online platforms will also be required to supply information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that since December 2025, social media platforms have been legally required to take "reasonable steps" to prevent users under the age of 16 from creating new accounts or accessing existing ones. He argued that major technology companies have not done enough to comply with the law.

Albanese noted that too many children are still using social media and announced that the maximum penalty for companies failing to meet their obligations would increase from 49.5 million Australian dollars to 99 million Australian dollars.

According to the government, since the law took effect, more than five million accounts belonging to users under 16 have been removed, disabled, or blocked.

Australia's under-16 social media law

Australia's legislation restricting access to social media for children under 16 came into force on December 10, 2025.

The law applies to X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Threads, and Kick>, all of which are subject to the age restriction.

The Australian government says the law is intended to reduce the harmful effects of algorithms and inappropriate content on children and teenagers.

Under the legislation, companies that fail to take reasonable steps to remove or block accounts belonging to users under 16 face financial penalties, with the maximum fine now set to increase to 99 million Australian dollars.

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