Australian parliament passes bill amending under-16 social-media ban
( September 14, 2026, 04:45 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: Australia’s parliament has passed a bill amending the country’s social media minimum age rules, doubling the maximum fine for non-compliance to A$109.2 million (US$78.3 million). In a statement late Friday, Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells said the passage of the 2026 Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill also expands the eSafety Commissioner’s information-gathering powers. Under the amended rules, the regulator can require social media companies and third parties, including age-assurance and app-store providers, to provide information and documents.Statement follows.Australia doubles down on social media law...
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