Communications Minister Anika Wells didn't hold back, saying that "social media platforms are adopting tricks straight out of the big tech playbook and doing the bare minimum to get by." That's a government minister saying what a lot of parents have been thinking for months. Two thirds of underage users apparently stayed online simply by typing in a fake age over 16 or posting a selfie that the platform accepted without question. The ban itself has been in place since December 10, 2025, so it's barely six months old and it's already showing cracks. The eSafety Commissioner, will also now be able to pull information from third parties like age verification providers and app stores, not just the platforms themselves.
Around 70% of under-16s in Australia were still reported by parents to be accessing social media,after the ban took effect. That number is what pushed the government to act again. Australia's law is being watched closely by other countries looking to do the same thing, and Britain said this month it's planning restrictions that go even further, covering gaming and live-streaming platforms too.The maximum penalty for not complying now sits at A$99 million.
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