Australia is investigating Facebook “,”TikTok”,”Social media platform”], and YouTube for possible breaches of the nation’s under-16 social media ban, accusing the companies of “failing to obey” the world-leading legislation.
The ban, introduced in December 2025, prohibits children under 16 from accessing popular social media platforms, citing the need to shield young users from “predatory algorithms” exposing them to sexual content and violence.
Three months after the laws took effect, Australia’s eSafety Commission reported that a “substantial proportion of Australian children” were still active on banned platforms.
“Australia’s world-leading social media laws are not failing. But big tech is failing to obey the laws,” Communications Minister Anika Wells said. “Australia will not let the social media giants take us for mugs.”
The eSafety Commission has flagged concerns over Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. More than five million accounts belonging to underage Australian users have already been removed.
Under the legislation, companies face fines of up to $33.9 million (Aus$49.5 million) for noncompliance. Authorities are expected to decide on possible punishments by mid-2026.
Social media platforms have pledged compliance, though some warn the ban could push teenagers toward unregulated online spaces. Meta acknowledged that accurately verifying user ages remains “a challenge for the whole industry,” while Snapchat reported locking 450,000 accounts. TikTok declined to comment, and YouTube did not respond to inquiries.
Companies are solely responsible for ensuring that users in Australia are 16 or older and must prove that they have taken “reasonable steps” to remove underage accounts. Proposed measures include AI-based age estimation from photos or verifying government-issued IDs.
Meanwhile, Reddit has filed a legal challenge against the ban, citing privacy concerns and the risks of personal data collection. The case is pending in Australia’s High Court.
Australia’s under-16 social media ban has drawn global attention, with countries including Malaysia, France, New Zealand, and Indonesia exploring similar measures aimed at protecting children online.
