Australia to give regulator more power to pursue Big Tech over under-16 ban
Social media logos are displayed on a smartphone alongside an under-16 age-restriction symbol in this photo illustration, as governments around the world introduce or consider bans and stricter age-verification rules to limit minors' access to social media platforms in Brussels, Belgium, on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Australia will introduce new laws in parliament on Monday to strengthen its under-16 social media ban and give its internet regulator more power to pursue tech giants in court for non-compliance.
The move follows the world-first restrictions that took effect in December, a policy being watched closely by many countries seeking to emulate it as evidence suggests children are still able to access the platforms.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there were still too many children on social media and tech firms were not doing enough to comply with the law.
“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,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“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.”
The regulator is investigating possible non-compliance by five platforms: Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Google’s YouTube.
There was no immediate comment from Meta, Google and Snapchat. TikTok declined to comment.
Albanese called on the conservative coalition opposition to back the bill, noting the original policy passed with bipartisan support.
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