Australia tables bill to limit under-16s from using social media with tech companies facing huge fines | National & World [Video]

Brisbane, Australia (CNN) — The Australian government is threatening multimillion dollar fines for social media companies that breach a proposed ban on children under 16 from using their service.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland introduced an amendment to the Online Safety Act in parliament on Thursday, which the government has pitched as “world-leading social media reform.”

“The Albanese Government is introducing world leading legislation to establish 16 as the minimum age for access to social media,” Rowland said in a statement.

“This reform is about protecting young people and letting parents know we’ve got their backs,” she added.

The legislation includes financial penalties of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32.5 million) for companies found not to have taken “reasonable steps to prevent age-restricted users having accounts.”

The ban is expected apply to social media services including TikTok, X, Instagram and Snapchat, though a list of banned services has not been released.

The legislation has …