SYDNEY, Australia: Australia plans to strengthen enforcement of its landmark social media ban for children by doubling the maximum penalties for technology companies that fail to prevent under-16s from accessing their platforms.

The government announced on June 27 that the maximum penalty for systematic failures to comply with the law will increase to A$99 million (US$68 million) from A$49.5 million. It also plans to expand the powers of the eSafety Commissioner, allowing the regulator to compel social media companies to provide evidence of the steps they have taken to block underage users.

The government reiterated that the eSafety Commissioner is investigating possible non-compliance by five platforms: Meta's Instagram and Facebook, Google's YouTube, Snap's Snapchat, and TikTok.

Australia's six-month-old social media ban is being closely watched by countries considering similar measures over concerns about the impact of social media on young people's mental and physical health. Britain said this month it plans broader restrictions that will also cover gaming and live-streaming platforms.

"I'm heartened by the shift in conversation and the global momentum we've seen since introducing the social media minimum age, but it's clear big tech is not doing enough to comply with the law – there are still too many children on social media," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.

The government said more than five million accounts belonging to users under 16 have been deactivated or restricted since the ban took effect.

However, studies have suggested that age-verification tools such as selfie-based checks can be easily bypassed. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal this week, 85 percent of Australians aged 12 to 15 were still using social media three months after the ban came into force.

The study found that about two-thirds of underage users remained online by declaring they were over 16 or by submitting selfies that platforms accepted as showing they were above the age limit.

"Based on the regular updates I receive from the eSafety Commissioner, it is clear to me that social media platforms are adopting tricks straight out of the big tech playbook and doing the bare minimum to get by," Minister for Communications Anika Wells said.

The proposed changes would also allow the regulator to obtain information from third parties, including age-assurance providers and app stores, to verify claims made by social media companies. The government said it has not yet decided when the amendments will be introduced in parliament.

Separately, Reddit is challenging the law in Australia's highest court on free speech grounds, a lawsuit the government has said it will defend.