Australia is set to increase the stakes for social media giants like Facebook and Instagram, doubling potential fines for companies that fail to prevent underage users from accessing their platforms. The move comes in response to criticism that a world-first ban on children under 16 from holding social media accounts, introduced last year, was not being effectively enforced. With a focus on protecting young Australians from online harms, the government is taking a tougher stance on tech companies that allow minors to create accounts on their platforms. As the global debate over social media regulation continues to intensify, Australia's efforts to hold these companies accountable are being closely watched.
Australia plans to double potential fines for social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, who fail to prevent Australian children from holding accounts as critics argue the world-first ban on under-16s was failing.
