Australia toughens kids’ social media ban, doubles potential penalties for tech firms

Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Kick, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Reddit, Threads and X applications are displayed on a mobile phone ahead of new law banning social media for users under 16 in Australia, in this picture illustration taken on December 9, 2025. (Reuters/Hollie Adams/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo) SPONSORED ARTICLES Australia accuses major social media firms of not doing enough Teens easily circumventing age-assurance measures put in place Maximum penalty for not upholding the ban doubled to $68 million Planned update to law also strengthens regulator’s information-gathering powers SYDNEY —   Australia said on Saturday it would double the maximum penalty it can impose on tech firms found to have failed to uphold a ground-breaking social media ban for children, as evidence mounts that the ban has had little effect on teen use. The government will also strengthen the information-gathering powers of its internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, allowing it to compel social media companies to provide evidence of what they have done to stop under-16s from getting an account. Under the changes, the maximum penalty for systematic failures to uphold the ban jumps to A$99 million ($68 million) from A$49.5 million. The government reiterated that eSafety is actively investigating the possible non-compliance of five platforms:
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