Social Media Giants Need to Keep Under 16s Off Their Platform or Risk $50 Million Fines

‘The penalty amounts are intentionally large, which reflects the significance of the harms the Bill is intended to safeguard against,’ the government says.

A photo of logos of major social media platforms and companies taken in Canberra, Australia, on Nov. 7, 2024. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has introduced a proposed social media ban for under 16s into the Australian Parliament, carrying fines of $49.5 million (US$32.5 million) for social media corporations.

The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 (pdf) requires social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australian children under 16 from having accounts. Those that fail to do so will be fined, including Meta, TikTok, and X.