Australia Expands Social Media Ban for Under-16 Users
Australia has added Reddit and the livestreaming platform Kick to its expanding list of social media services that must block users under 16, under a new law starting next month.
Platforms Included in the Ban
- TikTok
- X
- Snapchat
- Threads
- YouTube
- Kick
Legal Requirements and Penalties
The law imposes a “world-first legal obligation” on these companies to prevent minors from registering or maintaining accounts. Failure to comply could result in fines 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,” said Communications Minister Anika Wells 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.”
Oversight and Future Plans
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, who will enforce the regulation, indicated the list of banned platforms will evolve alongside new technologies.
“We’ll also look for unintended consequences and we’ll be gathering evidence so that others could learn from Australia’s achievements,” she explained, highlighting ongoing studies into the ban's impact on children's sleep, social habits, and physical activity.
International Attention
This pioneering move has attracted interest worldwide as Australia leads efforts to protect children online.
Author's summary: Australia expands its under-16 social media ban to Reddit and Kick, enforcing strict rules on platforms to safeguard children's online safety with significant penalties for violations.