Australia is investigating Facebook, TikTok and YouTube for possible breaches of the country's under-16 social media ban, accusing the big tech companies on yesterday of "failing to obey" the world-leading laws.
Australia in December banned under-16s from a raft of the world's most popular social media sites, citing the need to protect young minds from "predatory algorithms" filled with sex and violence.
Three months since the landmark laws came into effect, Australia's online safety watchdog found a "substantial proportion of Australian children" were still scrolling banned platforms.
"Australia's world-leading social media laws are not failing. But big tech is failing to obey the laws," Communications Minister Anika Wells told reporters.
"Australia will not let the social media giants take us for mugs."
Australia's eSafety Commission flagged "significant concerns" about Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.
"None of this is impossible. None of this is even difficult for big tech, who are innovative billion dollar companies," Wells said.
"If these companies want to do business in Australia, they must obey Australian laws."
Australia would decide any punishments by mid-2026.
Tech companies face fines of up to $33.9 million (AUD$49.5 million) under the laws.
More than five million accounts belonging to underage Australian users have been removed since the laws came into effect, the eSafety Commission said.
Australia's ban has been hailed as a godsend for parents sick of seeing children glued to their phones.
It has also drawn interest across the globe, with Malaysia, France, New Zealand and Indonesia among the nations now eyeing similar measures.
