Australia Expands Ban on Social Media Platforms for Under-16s
Australia has extended its landmark law requiring social media platforms to block users under the age of 16. On Wednesday, the government added Reddit and the livestreaming platform Kick to the growing list of banned platforms for children under 16, set to take effect next month.
Platforms Affected by the New Law
- Kick
- TikTok
- X
- Snapchat
- Threads
- YouTube
Communications Minister Anika Wells described this as a "world-first legal obligation" that compels platforms to prevent children from creating or keeping accounts. Companies ignoring the law risk penalties of up to A$50 million (approximately $33 million).
“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,” Wells said in Canberra.
“Online platforms use technology to target children with chilling control. We are merely asking that they use that same technology to keep children safe online.”
Enforcement and Future Monitoring
The country’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, will be responsible for enforcing the new regulations. She noted that the list of restricted platforms will be updated 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, highlighting ongoing research into the ban’s effects on children’s sleep, social habits, and physical activity.
Global Attention
This initiative has attracted international interest, signaling Australia's pioneering approach to child online safety.
Author's Summary
Australia is pioneering global child protection by legally requiring major social media platforms to block users under 16, with strict penalties for non-compliance and ongoing impact research.