Social media companies could be fined more than $30 million if they fail to keep children off their platforms, under new laws tabled in Australia’s parliament on Thursday.

The legislation would require social media companies to take steps to prevent people under the age of 16 from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

Failure to do so would result in fines of up to AU$50 million (US$32.5 million).

Australia is among the countries at the forefront of trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be one of the world’s strictest measures aimed at children.

Details of how social media companies should enforce the ban remain unclear.

The proposed laws would also include strict privacy provisions that would require tech platforms to delete any age verification information collected.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said on Thursday social media companies had a responsibility for the “safety and mental health” of Australians.

“The legislation places responsibility on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place,” she said.

Some companies will get exemptions from the ban, such as YouTube, which teens may need to use for school work or other reasons.
Rowland said messaging services – such as WhatsApp – and online gaming would also be exempt.

Once celebrated as a way to stay connected and informed, social media platforms have been tarnished by cyberbullying, the spread of illegal content and allegations of election interference.

If the proposed law passes, tech platforms will be given a one-year grace period to determine how to implement and enforce the ban.

Social media companies said they would adhere to the new legislation, but warned the government against acting too quickly and without adequate consultation.

Analysts have also expressed doubts about the technical feasibility of imposing a strict age-based ban.

UNICEF Australia’s Katie Maskiell said on Thursday the proposed legislation would not be a “silver bullet” to protect children and more needed to be done.

She added that the laws risked pushing young people into “secret and unregulated online spaces”.

Several other countries have increased children’s access to social media platforms.

Spain adopted a law in June banning access to social networks for those under 16 years old.

And in the US state of Florida, children under 14 will no longer be allowed to open social media accounts under a new law expected to come into force in January.

In both cases, the method of age verification has not yet been determined.