Australia to Double Fines on Big Tech as Children Bypass Social Media Ban

Australia has announced a significant increase in penalties for social media companies that do not comply with its under-16 social media ban. The government has accused Big Tech of failing to adequately enforce this ban, allowing too many children to access their platforms. The new legislation, which was revealed on Saturday, will raise the maximum fine for systemic breaches from 49.5 million to 99 million Australian dollars, equivalent to approximately 31 million to 68 million US dollars. This move is part of a broader effort to ensure that social media companies take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to protecting children online. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, "It’s clear Big Tech are not doing enough to comply with the law – there are still too many children on social media." The government is taking a firm stance, reflecting the seriousness of the issue at hand. The ban, which was implemented on December 10, has made Australia a global leader in efforts to limit children's access to social media, with other countries like the UK, Indonesia, and New Zealand observing the situation closely. Despite the ban, children have found ways to circumvent the rules by using accounts registered to older individuals, creating fake profiles, or accessing platforms through private browsers. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal indicated that there is "insufficient evidence" that the ban has significantly reduced social media usage among young people. Researchers surveyed over 400 children before and after the ban, discovering substantial circumvention of the regulations. The Australian government claims to have blocked over five million accounts belonging to users under the age of 16. However, Communications Minister Anika Wells has expressed concerns that social media platforms are still not doing enough to comply with the law. She stated, "It is clear to me that social media platforms are adopting tricks straight out of the Big Tech playbook and doing the bare minimum to get by." The new powers granted to the eSafety Commissioner will enable them to demand documentation and evidence from platforms, age-checking companies, and app stores, ensuring that companies take reasonable steps to keep under-16s off their platforms.