• Australia will double fines on tech companies failing to enforce the social media ban for under-16s.
• The maximum penalty will rise to A$99 million (US$68 million) for systemic breaches.
• eSafety Commissioner will have stronger powers to demand compliance evidence from firms.
• Research shows many underage users are circumventing the ban.
• The situation is prompting interest from other countries looking to implement similar regulations.

The Australian government has announced that it will double the maximum penalties imposed on technology companies that fail to uphold a groundbreaking ban on social media access for individuals under the age of 16. Under the new legislation, the fine for systemic violations will increase from A$49.5 million to A$99 million (approximately US$68 million) as a response to the evident circumvention of the restrictions by minors, according to Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and Reuters.

In addition to increasing fines, the government plans to empower the eSafety Commissioner to compel social media companies to provide clear evidence of their compliance efforts regarding the ban. The platforms currently under investigation for potential violations include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, as reported by India Times and Al Jazeera.

Despite Australia's efforts, studies indicate that a significant number of children are still able to bypass these age restrictions. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that 85% of Australians aged between 12 and 15 continued to use social media three months after the ban was enacted, often by self-declaring an age greater than 16 or passing age-verification methods like uploading selfies, as highlighted by BBC and Channel News Asia.

The Australian government is responding to these challenges by increasing regulatory powers and penalties, recognizing the need for more robust actions against non-compliance by major tech firms. Minister for Communications Anika Wells emphasized the insufficiency of current measures, stating, “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," according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.

The global interest in Australia's approach is notable, as other countries such as the United Kingdom are considering similar restrictions. The Prime Minister expressed hope for progress, citing the influence of the Australian model on international discussions about youth safety online, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.