Social media companies could face fines of almost $99 million for breaching a national ban on under-16s – double the previous maximum penalty.

Tech platforms will also be forced to reveal their activities to stop children and teens accessing accounts as part of a well-flagged beef-up of regulatory powers.

Australia became a world leader when it barred children younger than 16 from apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit and Facebook in late 2025.

While government figures say more than five million social media accounts have been deleted, research suggests banned individuals are easily skirting age verification and other restrictions enforced by platforms.

The federal government is preparing to beef up penalties for breaching its social media age ban. Photo: AAP

As many as 85 per cent of children younger than 16 reported using social media after the ban came into force, according to University of Newcastle-led research published on Wednesday.

The rules require social media companies to take reasonable steps to stop underage users from holding accounts.

Under changes proposed by the federal government, the eSafety Commissioner would be able to force social platforms to provide evidence they are doing what they can to block anyone younger than 16 from creating an account.

The new powers for the independent regulator would extend to information held by third parties, such as age assurance and app-store providers.

Communications Minister Anika Wells says the government is serious about holding social media platforms to account. Photo: AAP

Communications Minister Anika Wells was not satisfied tech companies were doing enough to comply with the minimum age laws.

“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,” she said.

“Social media platforms are some of the richest and most powerful companies in the world and we’re serious about holding them to account.”

The social media ban took effect in December to remove children younger than 16 from online platforms and restrict access to high-impact content such as pornography.

The policy has been contested by tech companies, with two separate court challenges lodged by Reddit and a pair of teenagers backed by the Digital Freedom Project.