Australia’s social media ban for under-16s, in effect since December, is struggling with compliance. Federal cabinet minister Murray Watt acknowledged the government needs to bolster enforcement, saying that big tech is not cooperating “as much as we’d like them to.”
The ban is a global first, with no prior precedent anywhere in the world. Watt noted that the existing powers of the safety commissioner require reinforcement, particularly regarding age assurance tools and the ability to compel platforms to share information.
The government is exploring new measures that target services outside the social media platforms themselves. These include stronger age verification requirements and expanded data-sharing mandates to ensure the ban works as intended.
The admission comes amid broader political pressures on incumbent governments globally. Watt framed the challenge as part of a wider struggle against “the anger industry” and populist right parties that exploit public anxieties.
No specific compliance rates or platform names were provided. The government is expected to introduce legislative amendments to tighten enforcement in coming months.