Australia Social Media Ban: If the Ban Was Real, Why Are 7 in 10 Kids Still Scrolling?

Australia's social media ban promised to protect children. Months later, millions are still scrolling, and Canberra is rushing to toughen its Australia social media laws. Was the ban ever strong enough?

Australia social media ban is under fresh pressure as Canberra intensifies its fight with Big Tech. Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the government will double the maximum fine to AU$99 million (US$68 million) for platforms that fail to keep children under 16 off their apps.

Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are firmly in the government's sights, with Canberra accusing the platforms of failing to take the ban seriously.

If Big Tech was really following the rules, why is Australia coming back with a bigger hammer?

Wells did not hold back. She accused the platforms of “taking the Mickey” out of the rules, an Australian slang term for making a mockery of something. Her message was blunt: “We are not seeing improvements.”

The ban took effect on December 10, 2024, and the platforms had more than 12 months to prepare. Still, the government says the results have been disappointing. Officials first reported that more than 5 million children had their accounts removed, deactivated, or restricted.

"We can all agree we would like the scheme to work better than it is currently, but that is on Big Tech taking the Mickey," Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells said.

Because the later numbers told a harsher story. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said 7 in 10 children who already had accounts before the ban were still active on restricted platforms. In other words, the Australia social media laws may have sounded tough, but enforcement has been far weaker than promised.

Was this a real ban, or just a rule Big Tech chose to ignore?

The new reforms are meant to fix that. Along with bigger fines, the government wants to give the eSafety Commissioner stronger powers to demand documents and data from platforms, as well as from third-party age-check providers. Canberra says it is done taking Big Tech’s word for it.

Even the opposition has admitted the original law was “undercooked.” Senior lawmaker Jane Hume said the commissioner was never given enough power to hold platforms accountable. Her party is now open to supporting the reforms.

Australia’s experiment is being watched closely around the world. Governments in Europe and Asia are studying the outcome, knowing it could shape the future of child safety laws online.

For now, Canberra is betting that a bigger fine will force compliance. But The Silicon Review asks Is Australia Tightening the Law Because Big Tech failed, or because the Law Failed First?

FAQ:

Q: How much are the new fines?
A: The proposed maximum fine would double to AU$99 million.

Q: Which platforms are affected?
A: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and other platforms covered by the under-16 restrictions.

Q: What new powers will regulators get?
A: The eSafety Commissioner could demand more data, inspect platform claims, and test age-verification systems more aggressively.

Q: Could Big Tech still find loopholes?
A: Yes. That is exactly what the government fears, which is why it is pushing for tougher rules and heavier penalties.

Q: Is this a crackdown on Big Tech or an admission of failure?
A: It is both. The government is trying to force compliance, but the move also shows the original law may not have been strong enough.

Q: What is the main criticism of the law?
A: Critics say the ban was announced with big promises but weak enforcement, making it hard to deliver real results.

Q: Could other countries follow Australia’s lead?
A: Yes. Many governments are watching closely to see whether tougher fines and stronger oversight can actually make the ban work.