Australia to double penalties for platforms in breach of social media ban
The Australian government is doubling penalties for social media platforms that fail to enforce the national minimum age ban for users under 16. Regulators are also gaining new powers to compel companies to prove compliance as investigations into major platforms continue.
Why it matters
This represents a significant escalation in global efforts to regulate big tech's impact on child safety and digital access.
Image source, Getty Images By Tabby Wilson BBC News Published 27 June 2026 The Australian government has announced it will double the maximum penalty for breaches of the nation's social media minimum age law to $99m (£51.7m).
The report balances government statements with evidence of the policy's current enforcement challenges.
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