The Australian government will double the maximum penalty for breaches of its under-16 social media ban to $99 million, arguing that tech companies are not doing enough to keep children off harmful sites. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that it is clear big tech companies are failing to comply with the law, as too many children continue to bypass the restrictions.
As part of the crackdown, the eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, will be granted stronger information-gathering powers. The regulator is currently investigating potential non-compliance by several major platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Meta's Facebook and Instagram.
Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that the government is serious about holding these platforms to account, describing them as some of the richest and most powerful companies in the world. However, some observers suggest that increased fines will have little effect if platforms are not held accountable for the content they carry. This comes as evidence mounts that the ban has had little effect on teen use, leading experts to warn that the government needs to switch into enforcement mode.