Australia has doubled the maximum fine for social media platforms violating its under-16 ban, raising the ceiling from 49.5 million to 99 million AUD (roughly $68 million). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the move as a response to inadequate compliance, arguing the original penalties failed to compel meaningful action from major platforms since the law took effect in December.

The amendment also expands enforcement authority for eSafety Commissioner Julie Grant, who can now demand platforms produce evidence of age-gating measures and compel third parties — including app store operators and age-verification providers — to supply compliance data. Her office confirmed active investigations into Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for potential violations.

Government figures show more than five million under-16 accounts have been removed or restricted since December. Independent research tells a different story. The Molly Rose Foundation found 61 percent of surveyed 12-to-15-year-olds retained social media access in April, while a University of Newcastle study placed that figure above 85 percent for Australian teens.

The widening gap between official removal counts and real-world usage suggests the ban's technical architecture — reliant on self-reported age and platform cooperation — remains fundamentally porous. Without a reliable verification mandate, higher fines may simply become a cost of doing business.