The Australian government has announced it is “doubling down” on social media platforms that aren’t complying with age restrictions for under-16s.

The announcement comes just days after a new study reported more than 85% of children under 16 were still accessing social media content, primarily by using their own accounts.

Many other countries are watching Australia’s measures closely. Several have already introduced similar social media age restrictions.

Bigger penalties, stronger investigative powers

Australia is strengthening its social media restrictions in two ways.

First, it will double the maximum penalty for “systematic breaches” from A$49.5 million to A$99 million. This is in line with penalties available under competition and consumer law.

Under the legislation, social media platforms must take “reasonable steps” to stop under-16s having accounts.

In March, Federal Minister for Communications Annika Wells explained she had “serious concerns” about social media companies’ compliance with the legislation.

The eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant has been investigating Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube for potential non-compliance.

The second step is to expand the eSafety Commissioner’s “information-gathering powers” to help hold social media companies to account.

Earlier this month, Inman-Grant said she lacked “potent powers” to enforce the social media ban:

A regulator is only as good as the tools and the resources that they’re........

© The Conversation