The move follows the ‌world-first restrictions that took effect in December, a policy being watched closely by many countries seeking to emulate it, as evidence suggests children are still able to access the ​platforms.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there were still too many children on ​social media and tech firms were not doing enough to comply ⁠with the law.

“We’re calling time on the social media companies today and ​doubling down on the changes that we have made and that we’re prepared ​to make,” he told reporters in Canberra.

“Today, we’ll introduce legislation this afternoon that goes further to ensure social media companies are doing everything within their power to stop children under ​16 from being on their platforms.”

The regulator is investigating possible non-compliance by five platforms: ​Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Google’s YouTube.

There was no immediate comment from Meta, ‌Google ⁠and Snapchat. TikTok declined to comment.

Albanese called on the conservative coalition opposition to back the bill, noting the original policy passed with bipartisan support.

The changes, announced on Sunday, would double fines to A$99 million ($68.2 million) from A$49.5 million.

They also give ​the eSafety Commissioner power ​to compel documents ⁠such as company board minutes and internal emails, ensuring legal cases being built against platforms failing to comply are ​as “strong as possible”, said Communications Minister Anika Wells.

“My message to ​Big Tech ⁠is this: we are not stopping. Every effort you make to frustrate these laws will be met with our efforts to make these laws work,” she said.

“If ⁠the ​eSafety Commissioner finds companies are not doing everything ​they can to comply, they will face the full force of the law.”