Australia's ban on social media use by those under 16 will take effect in December, adding Reddit and Kickstarter to the list.

 

Australia's social media ban on children and teenagers under the age of 16 will take effect in December. Authorities announced today that the ban will be expanded to include popular social media site Reddit and live streaming platform Kick.

Starting December 10th, Australia will mandate that social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok remove users under the age of 16, or face hefty fines of up to AU$49.5 million .

Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells stated today that the new regulations will also cover streaming platform Kick and online forum Reddit.

Wells told the media, "It's chilling how online platforms use technology to control and restrict children. We're simply asking them to use the same technology to ensure children's online safety. We want children to have a childhood, and we want parents to have peace of mind."

Regulators worldwide are struggling to address the harms posed by social media, making Australia's comprehensive restrictions highly anticipated. Theoretically, this ban is one of the strictest globally, but some experts worry that the new law may only be symbolic.

Currently, platforms such as Roblox, Discord, and WhatsApp are not banned, while streaming site Twitch is under review. However, Wells indicated that the list of banned platforms is not static and may be adjusted in the future.

Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated that while age restrictions are an "effective solution" to prevent harm on social media, it's not a quick fix. Social media operators have previously described the regulations as "vague," "problematic," and "rushed."

A Kick spokesperson said, "Australia represents only a small portion of our global audience, but Kick was founded here, and we will continue to support local creators." "We will continue to engage in constructive communication regarding these new regulations to support a fair outcome: ensuring online safety without compromising privacy or restricting creative freedom that drives the Australian creator economy."

Kick has recently garnered attention in France after a 46-year-old man died after being subjected to humiliation and abuse by other participants during a 12-day marathon livestream on his channel.