Australia will introduce new legislation to strengthen enforcement of its under-16 social media ban, giving the country’s internet regulator broader powers to pursue technology companies that fail to comply with the law.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said too many children were still accessing social media despite the world-first restrictions, which came into force in December, adding that technology firms were not doing enough to enforce the rules.
“We’re calling time on the social media companies today and doubling down on the changes that we have made and that we’re prepared to make.
“Today, we’ll introduce legislation this afternoon that goes further to ensure social media companies are doing everything within their power to stop children under 16 being on their platforms,” he told reporters in Canberra.
The proposed amendments will double the maximum penalty for non-compliance to A$99 million from A$49.5 million. They will also empower the eSafety Commissioner to compel companies to hand over documents including board minutes and internal emails to strengthen legal action against platforms that breach the law.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the additional powers would ensure cases against non-compliant companies were “as strong as possible”.
“My message to Big Tech is this: we are not stopping. Every effort you make to frustrate these laws will be met with our efforts to make these laws work.
“If the eSafety Commissioner finds companies are not doing everything they can to comply, they will face the full force of the law.”
The regulator is investigating possible non-compliance by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. Albanese also urged the opposition to support the legislation, noting the original law was passed with bipartisan backing.
