Australia Cracks Down on Social Media Giants with Hefty Fines for Underage Access

The Australian government is set to impose harsher penalties on social media companies that fail to prevent minors from accessing their platforms. The maximum fine for breaching the country's social media ban for under-16s will be doubled to $99 million, sending a strong message to tech giants that they must do more to protect young people. According to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, despite the introduction of the world's first social media ban for under-16s, many children are still finding ways to bypass age restrictions and access harmful content. Research has shown that over 80% of under-16s are still using social media, with many using fake accounts or VPNs to evade detection. The eSafety commissioner will be given greater powers to investigate and enforce compliance, including the ability to demand information and documents from social media companies and third-party providers. The government's tough stance is part of a global effort to regulate social media and protect children from online harm. Other countries, including France and the UK, are also introducing similar laws to restrict access to social media for minors. The Australian government is determined to lead the way in keeping kids safe online, and the new penalties and powers are a significant step towards achieving this goal. With the social media ban in place for six months, the government has seen some progress, with over 5 million accounts held by under-16s removed or restricted. However, more needs to be done to prevent children from accessing harmful content, and the government is committed to holding social media companies to account.