Canberra: Australia is set to introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening its ban on social media use by children under the age of 16, while expanding the powers of the country’s internet regulator to take stronger legal action against technology companies that fail to comply.
The proposed laws, scheduled to be introduced in Parliament, build on Australia’s landmark under-16 social media restrictions that came into effect in December.
The policy, the first of its kind globally, is being closely monitored by other countries exploring similar measures, even as reports indicate that many children continue to access restricted platforms.
We're doing everything we can to protect Australian kids. pic.twitter.com/ahkUCf1sJK
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 29, 2026
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that too many young Australians remain active on social media despite the ban, arguing that technology companies have not done enough to enforce the rules.
Albanese added that the government was prepared to strengthen the legislation further to ensure social media platforms take every possible step to prevent users under the age of 16 from accessing their services.
Under the proposed amendments, the maximum financial penalty for companies found in breach of the law would double from A$49.5 million to A$99 million (approximately US$68.2 million).
The reforms would also grant the eSafety Commissioner greater investigative authority, including the power to require companies to hand over internal documents such as board meeting minutes and internal emails.
Communications Minister Anika Wells remarked that the expanded powers would help regulators build stronger legal cases against platforms that fail to meet their obligations.
Wells warned that the government would continue strengthening enforcement efforts and that any company found not doing everything possible to comply with the law would face the full force of Australia’s legal system.
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