Perth tech firms face doubled fines in under-16 social media ban

Tech giants caught breaking Australia's new under-16 social media ban could soon face double the financial penalties, according to reports from federal policy developments. The stricter enforcement regime signals the federal government's determination to crack down on platforms that continue to allow young teenagers online, with larger fines designed to make compliance more economically rational than non-compliance.

For Perth schools, families and youth services, the tougher stance offers potential relief from concerns about social media's impact on young people's mental health and screen time habits. However, the shift also highlights questions about how effective the ban can be without stronger technical enforcement at the platform level, and whether doubling fines alone will change corporate behaviour across Meta, TikTok, YouTube and other major services.

Sources: watoday.com.au.

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