Social media and technology companies in Australia will be required to implement a set of new restrictions preventing children from accessing adult content online within the next six months. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to $50 million. These draft codes, which were submitted to the eSafety commissioner for approval, necessitate social media platforms that allow pornography to establish measures ensuring minors do not have access to their content and to verify the age of users. Additionally, these platforms would have to actively detect and remove adult content, including materials related to self-harm or violence. The proposed codes encompass various aspects of the internet, including social media, gaming services, websites, search engines, internet service providers, and equipment manufacturers. Companies making and selling devices that enable access to online content would be obligated to offer child-friendly accounts with default safety restrictions. Search engine services would apply stringent safety measures by default, and internet hosting services would have to take action against customers who breach content laws. Despite being released in October, the final proposals had a two-month delay to address overlaps with the introduction of a social media ban for under-16s by the federal government. these measures aim to protect children from harmful online content related to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, and violence, with an industry representative emphasizing the importance of creating secure and supportive online environments for children. If accepted, companies would have six months to implement these measures, and non-compliance could lead to penalties of up to $50 million.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/03/social-media-platforms-could-face-50m-fines-if-australian-children-access-adult-content-on-their-sites