Australian authorities will double fines for tech companies that do not comply with the ban on teenagers registering on social networks

Australian authorities are considering tightening the ban on the use of social networks by teenagers: fines for technology companies could double, writes the local ABC publication. A study published earlier this week found the government's measures were ineffective.

The planned changes would see maximum fines for companies that fail to enforce the ban double, from A$49.5 million to A$99 million (or about $34 million to $68 million).

The online safety commissioner's powers will also be expanded to force companies to provide evidence that they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent children from joining their social networks. Third platforms that provide age verification technology to companies will also be required to report.

In a statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explained the measures by saying there are "still a lot of children on social media":

“These changes reflect the seriousness with which we take any failure by social media companies to comply with our world-leading legislation,” he said.

The law prohibiting children under 16 years of age from having accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and a number of other platforms came into force on December 10 last year - Australia became the first country in the world to take such a measure. The law provides for fines for social networks if they do not take “reasonable” steps to delete the accounts of minors.

However, a study published this week in the British Medical Journal showed that these measures are ineffective. The authors of the study found that, despite the ban, teenagers in Australia continue to use social networks - 85% of those surveyed 12-17 year olds did.