Australian regulators have launched formal investigations into several major technology companies, including Meta, TikTok and Google, over suspected failures to comply with the country’s strict ban on social media access for users under the age of sixteen.

The inquiry, led by the national online safety authority, follows the introduction of sweeping legislation that came into force in December twenty twenty-five.

The law requires platforms to take effective steps to prevent minors from creating or maintaining accounts, with significant financial penalties for non-compliance.

Early findings from the regulator indicate that, despite initial large-scale account removals, substantial gaps remain in enforcement.

Millions of accounts believed to belong to underage users were deleted shortly after the law took effect, yet authorities say children are still able to bypass safeguards and return to platforms with relative ease.

Investigators have identified a series of shortcomings in age-verification systems, including the ability for users to repeatedly attempt verification checks and weaknesses in detecting re-registrations after accounts are removed.

Concerns have also been raised about inadequate reporting mechanisms for parents and users seeking to flag underage activity.

The regulator has signalled a shift toward a stricter enforcement posture, warning that companies could face penalties of up to tens of millions of Australian dollars if systemic failures are confirmed.

A decision on potential legal action is expected in the coming months.

Australian authorities have framed the legislation as a decisive step to protect young people online, positioning the country at the forefront of global efforts to address the risks associated with social media use among children.

Officials have stressed that technology companies possess the technical capacity and data resources necessary to enforce the rules effectively.

Government representatives have also indicated that any failure to comply may be viewed as an attempt to undermine the law’s broader international influence, as other jurisdictions consider adopting similar protections.

The companies involved have defended their efforts, pointing to the scale and complexity of enforcing age restrictions across global platforms.

However, regulators maintain that compliance must be demonstrable and robust, particularly given the law’s central objective of safeguarding children from harmful online environments.

The investigations unfold amid increasing global scrutiny of social media platforms, with recent legal developments and policy debates intensifying pressure on technology firms to take greater responsibility for user safety and platform design.