NATALIE BARR, CO-HOST: Five social media giants have been accused of failing to comply with the under-16s social media ban by the eSafety Commissioner. Platforms Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube are all being investigated for potential breaches to the law.

MATT SHIRVINGTON, CO-HOST: This of course comes after Google and Meta were found guilty of causing harm to children in the US. And for more, we’re joined by Communications Minister Anika Wells. Good morning to you, Minister. So what potential breaches have these platforms made here?

MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS ANIKA WELLS: Well, that’s right, Matt, Nat. We’ve all heard stories of kids getting around the ban, so we’re doing something about it. We’ve spent summer gathering the evidence of how that is happening so the eSafety Commissioner can move to enforcement. Big tech is responsible for this, and big tech will be held accountable for this.

BARR: There was a survey done, I think a couple of weeks ago, that said 70 per cent of kids are getting around it. They’re using VPNs, they’re borrowing someone’s ID, they’re entering false birthdays, they’re tricking facial checks with photos, make-up, another person’s ID, or a mask from the two-dollar shop. It feels like it’s really easy. So, when will the fines start?

WELLS: So, this isn’t just being a police officer on the beat, pointing a speed radar at a car and issuing an on-the-spot fine. The eSafety Commissioner has to go to the Federal Court and ask them to issue a fine, so we’re building the evidence. And we’ve published the compliance report today because I want parents to know we get it, we know, we’re hearing those same stories that you are experiencing, and we are building that evidence case. Because like you say, Nat, it is not good enough for big tech to offer kids multiple attempts to get in through photo scanning. It’s not good enough for big tech to say do you want to check your age ahead of 10 December coming in? And the biggest reason that kids haven’t been thrown off social media platforms, as you see in the compliance report, is because big tech hasn’t even asked their age to begin with.

SHIRVINGTON: Is big tech responding to this? I mean, the potential of $50 million fines, it must be having them on edge, especially given this case in the US where essentially they’ve been accused and proven guilty of addiction.

WELLS: I certainly hope so, Matt, and publishing the compliance report today I think not just gives parents peace of mind that we understand what you’re going through but puts big tech on notice. Enforcement action has begun; we are building the evidence case and the eSafety Commissioner can take you to court.

BARR: Okay, well, we’ll check back in with you when the next step happens. Minister, thank you very much for your time.

WELLS: Have a good morning.