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Under new laws tabled before Australia's parliament Thursday, social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail to keep children off their platforms.
The legislation would force social media firms to take steps to prevent children under 16 from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
Failing to do so would mean fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million).
Australia is among the vanguard of nations trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be among the world's strictest measures aimed at children.
Details about how social media companies are expected to enforce the ban remain unclear.
The proposed laws would also include robust privacy provisions that require tech platforms to delete any age-verification information collected.
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said Thursday that social media companies are responsible for the "safety and mental health" of Australians.
"The legislation places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place," she said.
Some companies, such as YouTube, will be granted exemptions from the ban, which teenagers may need to use for school work or other reasons.
Rowland said that messaging services -- such as WhatsApp -- and online gaming would also be exempt.
Once celebrated as a means of staying connected and informed, social media platforms have been tarnished by cyberbullying, the spread of illegal content, and election-meddling claims.
If the proposed law passes, tech platforms would be given a one-year grace period to figure out how to implement and enforce the ban.
Social media companies have said they will adhere to new legislation but have cautioned the government against acting too quickly and without adequate consultation.
Analysts have also expressed doubt that enforcing a strict age ban would be technically feasible.
Katie Maskiell from UNICEF Australia said Thursday the proposed legislation would not be a "solve-all" for protecting children and much more needed to be done.
She added the laws risked pushing young people onto "covert and unregulated online spaces".
Several other countries have been tightening children's access to social media platforms.
Spain passed a law in June banning social media access to under-16s.
In the US state of Florida, a new law that will come into force in January bans children under 14 from opening social media accounts.
In both cases, the age verification method has yet to be determined.
© Agence France-Presse
