Australia’s Enforcement Mode: Tech Giants Face Tougher Measures for Social Media Ban
Enforcement mode – Australia’s federal government is ramping up its strategy to enforce a social media ban targeting users under 16, entering what experts describe as a “full enforcement mode.” The latest legislative changes, announced this week, include doubling fines for platforms that breach the rule, with penalties now potentially reaching $99 million. While these measures are seen as a critical step forward, analysts argue that true effectiveness hinges on more aggressive enforcement mechanisms to ensure tech giants comply with the policy’s goals of protecting young users from harmful content.
The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, now has enhanced authority to access data and enforce compliance, a move intended to address persistent concerns about underage users bypassing age restrictions on apps like TikTok and Snapchat. Despite the ban’s implementation on December 10, 2025, reports indicate that over 5 million accounts have been restricted, yet the majority of children under 16 continue to engage with social media. Critics say this highlights the need for Australia to move beyond symbolic penalties and adopt a more assertive enforcement mode to create meaningful change.
Experts Highlight the Need for Robust Enforcement
Dr. Catherine Page Jeffery, a media and communications scholar at the University of Sydney, stressed that Australia’s current approach lacks the urgency required to tackle the issue. “We’re still in the early stages, but the data shows that most under-16s remain active on social platforms,” she said. Jeffery warned that without transitioning to a full enforcement mode, doubling fines alone would fail to address the underlying problem of algorithmic influence on young users. “The regulator must enforce the rules with the same rigor as the penalties,” she emphasized.
“If we don’t shift into enforcement mode, we’ll keep doubling the penalty without any real impact on platform behavior,” Jeffery added, underscoring the importance of consistent regulatory action.
The digital duty of care framework, a key component of the policy, is designed to hold social media companies accountable for the content they host. Jeffery argued that this shift would prioritize platform responsibility over user choice, requiring companies to transparently address issues like addictive algorithms and misinformation. “This is about ensuring that platforms take proactive steps to protect children, not just react after the damage is done,” she explained.
Political Divisions and the Path to Enforcement
While the Greens support the tougher penalties, they remain focused on algorithmic reforms as part of Australia’s enforcement mode. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticized the government’s delayed action, stating, “The fines are an admission that previous oversight was ineffective.” She called for a broader strategy that targets the root causes of harmful content exposure, such as the way platforms prioritize engagement over user safety.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers defended the policy as a necessary response to tech giants’ lack of accountability. “We’re not just increasing penalties—we’re empowering the eSafety commissioner to act decisively in enforcement mode,” he said during an interview. However, shadow communications minister Sarah Henderson questioned the fines, calling them a “failure to secure lasting change.” She argued that the government’s strategy must evolve to include deeper regulatory oversight of algorithms and platform behavior.
Research from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute further supports the push for stricter enforcement. The study found a clear correlation between heavy social media use and declining mental health in adolescents, particularly those aged 12 to 13. “The current age restrictions are not enough to shield young users from the damaging effects of these platforms,” said the report’s lead researcher. This data reinforces the argument that Australia must embrace an enforcement mode to achieve its online safety objectives.
