Australia proposes $32m fine for social media firms flouting under-16s ban

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland introduces the Online Safety Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, on November 21, 2024 [Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP Photo]

Australia’s centre-left government has introduced a “landmark” bill in parliament to ban children under 16 from social media.

The legislation could see platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram slapped with a fine of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32.5m) if they fail to bar children from holding accounts.