Key facts
- Australia is doubling the penalty for social media ban breaches to $99 million.
- The increased penalty aims to address insufficient efforts by tech giants to protect children.
- Regulator powers will be enhanced to enforce the youth ban.
- Prime Minister stated the ban is too easy to avoid.
Australia is set to double the penalty for social media companies that violate its ban on children accessing these platforms, increasing the fine to $99 million. This move comes amid concerns that technology giants have not made sufficient efforts to protect children online.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted that too many children are currently using social media and that the existing ban is too easy to circumvent. The government is also enhancing the powers of its regulators to ensure better enforcement of the youth ban.
The increased financial penalty and strengthened regulatory oversight are intended to compel social media firms to take greater responsibility for safeguarding young users.