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Australia's eSafety Commission Cracks Down on Under-16s' Social Media Access

4/1/2026

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Australia's eSafety Enforcement

Australia’s eSafety Commission is intensifying scrutiny of social media platforms for failing to enforce the under-16 ban in the Social Media Minimum Age Act.
A survey shows nearly 70% of under-16s still access social media, despite the law’s December implementation, with penalties up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance.
The regulator notes age-verification loopholes that allow minors to bypass restrictions, while France and the United Kingdom consider similar regulations.

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Australia Enforces Age Restrictions

Indonesian authorities summoned Google LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc. for allegedly failing to comply with a new law banning under-16 social media access, requiring age verification and account deactivation.
Australia has accused Meta Platforms, Inc. and TikTok of not enforcing the under-16 ban, and a survey shows many children still hold accounts.
The government notes some platforms allow repeated age-verification attempts, undermining the law’s effectiveness and prompting ongoing enforcement inquiries.

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Australia's eSafety Enforcement

Australia’s eSafety Commission is intensifying scrutiny of social media platforms for failing to enforce the under-16 ban in the Social Media Minimum Age Act.
A survey shows nearly 70% of under-16s still access social media, despite the law’s December implementation, with penalties up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance.
The regulator notes age-verification loopholes that allow minors to bypass restrictions, while France and the United Kingdom consider similar regulations.

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