The Australian government's struggle to enforce its social media ban for under-16s has reached a critical juncture, with experts warning that doubling fines to AUD $99 million (approximately £51.4 million) will have limited impact unless regulators actively hold tech giants accountable for the content they host and the algorithms they deploy.
The recent legislation announced by the government last Sunday aims to crack down on non-compliant platforms, but critics argue it falls short of adequately protecting younger users. With approximately 80% of under-16s still reporting social media use despite existing age restrictions, researchers warn that little has changed since the ban's introduction on 10 December.
“There’s no point in doubling the penalty if the regulator doesn’t enforce them, and move into the enforcement mode,” said Catherine Page Jeffery, a senior lecturer in media and communications at the University of Sydney. She advocates for a 'digital duty of care' legislation that would place a proactive obligation on platforms to ensure user safety and introduce greater transparency around algorithms.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has acknowledged that tech companies have not been doing enough to safeguard young people, vowing to strengthen penalties and the powers of the eSafety Commissioner. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains uncertain in the absence of robust enforcement mechanisms.
The debate in Australia echoes broader international concerns about the responsibility of social media platforms and the need for more comprehensive regulatory frameworks to protect vulnerable users from online harms. The Australian government's proposed legislation for a digital duty of care is seen as a step towards addressing these issues, but its success will depend on its ability to hold tech giants accountable and introduce meaningful reforms.