The government is intensifying enforcement of the under-16 social media ban, proposing to double fines to A$99M and to expand powers for the eSafety Commissioner to demand documents and evidence from platforms and third parties.Officials say more than 5 million under-16 accounts were removed or restricted since December but eSafety reports and a British Medical Journal study show many children remain active on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and Reddit, with little short-term drop in daily use.Julie Inman Grant is investigating potential non-compliance and may take legal action, while Communications Minister
Anika Wells and Opposition lawmaker
Jane Hume say the reforms will force companies to verify ages and bear responsibility for blocking under-16 access rather than leaving enforcement to families.