Australia plans to double fines to $99m for social media platforms violating the under-16 ban, amid concerns over ineffective enforcement and calls for stricter algorithm regulation.
Executives from Meta, Roblox and TikTok denied their platforms are inherently addictive to children during a Westminster hearing, arguing there is no evidence platforms are 'addictive by nature'. The appearance followed a Los Angeles court case last month where Meta and YouTube were found liable for designing addictive products. The committee chair warned Snapchat, which cancelled, that they would be summoned. The UK government is consulting on whether to ban under-16s from social media, following Australia's example.
