SYDNEY – Australia has initiated scrutiny of major social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, over alleged violations of its under-16 access restrictions, with authorities accusing big tech companies of not fully complying with the newly introduced rules.
The legislation, introduced in December, bars individuals under the age of 16 from accessing a range of widely used social media services. The measure was enacted to safeguard young users from harmful online content, including material driven by algorithms that may expose them to violence and sexually explicit material.
Three months after the law came into force, the country’s online safety regulator reported that a significant number of minors were still active on restricted platforms, raising concerns about enforcement and compliance.
Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that the issue lies with non-compliance by technology companies rather than any flaw in the legislation itself.
The minister emphasized that global tech firms must adhere to Australian laws if they wish to operate in the country, adding that the government would not tolerate disregard for its regulations.
The eSafety Commission has expressed serious concerns about several platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, noting that existing safeguards have not been sufficient to prevent underage access.
The authorities said that since the implementation of the ban, millions of accounts belonging to underage users have been removed. Under the law, companies that fail to comply may face penalties of up to $33.9 million, with enforcement actions expected to be determined by mid-2026.
Among the companies, Meta, the parent organisation of Facebook and Instagram, acknowledged that accurately verifying user age remains a complex challenge across the industry. The company said it continues to invest in systems aimed at identifying and removing accounts belonging to users under 16.
Snapchat also stated that it is taking reasonable steps to meet legal requirements and has already restricted hundreds of thousands of accounts. TikTok declined to comment, while YouTube did not respond to requests for a statement.
The responsibility for ensuring compliance lies with the platforms themselves, which are required to confirm that Australian users meet the minimum age requirement and demonstrate that they have taken reasonable measures to prevent access by younger users. Some companies are reportedly using artificial intelligence tools for age estimation, while others rely on identity verification through government-issued documents.
Separately, Reddit has challenged the law in Australia’s High Court, arguing that the legislation is flawed and raising concerns about privacy risks associated with age verification processes and the handling of personal data.
