Australia investigates Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for under-16 ban violations
Australia is probing Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for breaching the country's under-16 social media ban, accusing the tech giants of "failing to obey" world-leading laws implemented in December 2025.
The eSafety Commission found that three months after implementation, "a substantial proportion of Australian children" are still accessing prohibited platforms. Tech companies face fines up to $33.9 million (Aus$49.5 million) if found non-compliant, with over 5 million underage accounts already removed since the laws took effect.
Meta (Facebook/Instagram) acknowledges age verification presents "a challenge for the whole industry," while Snapchat reports locking 450,000 accounts. TikTok had no comment, and YouTube didn't respond to inquiries. Reddit has filed a legal challenge against the ban, citing privacy concerns with age verification systems. Malaysia, France, New Zealand, and Indonesia are now considering similar measures to protect young users from harmful online content.
As Nigeria debates digital safety for youth, will we implement similar age restrictions, or focus on digital literacy education instead?