Australia Expands Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Australia has added Reddit and the livestreaming platform Kick to its list of social networks prohibited for users under 16. This expansion extends a landmark law set to take effect next month, reinforcing the country’s stance on protecting young users online.
New Restrictions Under the Law
Alongside Reddit and Kick, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Threads, and YouTube will also be required to prevent minors from creating or maintaining accounts. The measure is described as a “world-first legal obligation.”
Government’s Statement
“We have met with several of the social media platforms in the past month so that they understand there is no excuse for failure to implement this law,” said Communications Minister Anika Wells in Canberra.
Wells emphasized that companies failing to comply could face penalties of up to A$50 million (approximately $33 million). She also highlighted that the same technology used for content targeting should now serve to protect children online.
Oversight and Future Adjustments
The enforcement of the law will be overseen by the country’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, who noted that the list of restricted platforms will evolve as new technologies emerge.
“We’ll also look for unintended consequences and we’ll be gathering evidence so that others could learn from Australia’s achievements,” said Grant, referencing ongoing studies on how the ban may affect children’s sleep, social habits, and physical activity.
Global Significance
The initiative has drawn international attention as a pioneering effort in online child safety, reflecting Australia’s growing focus on creating safer digital spaces for young people.
Author’s summary: Australia extends its pioneering under-16 social media ban to include Reddit and Kick, intensifying online safety rules and setting a global precedent for child protection.