Australia's social media ban: Five platforms could face $49.5 million fines for under‑16 breaches

Users aged under 16 have been banned from social media since December 10th and social media companies who fail to take reasonable steps to comply face fines of up to $49.5 million. Source: Flickr

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is investigating five major platforms for possible breaches of the under-16 social media ban, in force since December 2025. While early compliance shows progress, significant gaps remain. Experts warn of addiction risks among youth. The federal government says companies face fines up to $49.5 million for non-compliance, urging stricter enforcement to protect children and reassure parents.

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Published 1 April 2026 3:50pm

By Greg Dyett

Presented by Vrishali Jain

Source: SBS

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Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is investigating five major platforms for possible breaches of the under-16 social media ban, in force since December 2025. While early compliance shows progress, significant gaps remain. Experts warn of addiction risks among youth. The federal government says companies face fines up to $49.5 million for non-compliance, urging stricter enforcement to protect children and reassure parents.

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