Tech giants threatened with sanctions for failing to comply with ban on minors' access to social media

Australian authorities are stepping up pressure on major digital platforms, accused of failing to comply with legislation that bans children under 16 from accessing social media, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. The measure, considered one of the strictest worldwide, is being closely monitored by other countries assessing similar regulations.

Strict ban, contested enforcement

In December 2025, Australia became the first country to impose a general ban on minors' access to social media, citing major risks to young people's mental health. The law has since been replicated or examined by countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, and France. Three months after its entry into force, regulators claim that more than five million accounts belonging to Australian minors have been removed. However, the eSafety Commission warns that a significant number of children continue to access prohibited platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, according to Australian media.

Government accuses platforms of "non-compliance”

Australia's Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, sharply criticized major tech companies, accusing them of failing to comply with national legislation. "Australia's social media laws are not failing, but tech giants are not complying with them,” the official said, stressing that companies must comply if they wish to operate on the Australian market. Authorities are expected to decide by mid-2026 on sanctions, which could reach up to euro25 million for companies found in breach of the law.

Similar models emerging globally

Australia's initiative is being closely analyzed internationally. In Brazil, authorities have already introduced measures linking minors' accounts to those of their parents, while in France a ban for users under 15 is under debate. Indonesia has recently adopted a similar measure targeting approximately 70 million minors, with local authorities accusing tech companies of failing to comply with the new rules.

Technical challenges and privacy concerns

Under Australian law, responsibility for verifying users' age lies entirely with the platforms. They use various methods, including artificial intelligence tools to estimate age based on photos or requests for identity documents. However, industry companies warn that implementing these measures raises technical and ethical concerns. Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, stated that accurate age verification is "an industry-wide challenge.” At the same time, platforms argue that restrictions could push teenagers toward less regulated apps, where risks are higher.

Reactions from targeted companies

Most platforms have said they are trying to comply with the legislation. Snapchat claims it has already blocked around 450,000 accounts suspected of belonging to minors, while Meta says it will continue investing in detecting and removing users under 16, reports The Australian. On the other hand, Reddit has challenged the ban in court, arguing that it is "legally flawed” and that age verification raises serious risks for personal data protection. TikTok has not commented on the situation, while YouTube had not provided an official response at the time of publication.

An open debate: protection versus digital freedom

Australia's case highlights a global dilemma: how to protect minors in the digital environment without compromising rights to privacy and access to information. While governments seek to impose stricter rules, the tech industry points to technical limitations and the risks associated with large-scale collection of personal data. The evolution of this legislative and technological conflict could, in the coming years, define how young people's access to the internet is regulated globally, according to international news agencies and official statements from the authorities and companies involved.