Australia Adds Reddit to No-Go List for Kids
Australia will ban under-16s from using Reddit, adding it to the list of age-restricted social media platforms. This means that 10- and 14-year-olds will not be able to post on subreddits like r/Im14andthisisdeep or any other subreddit.
The livestreaming service Kick will also be restricted when the new regulation takes effect early next month, limiting access to a wide range of social media platforms for young Australians.
Role of the eSafety Commissioner
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, an agency somewhat comparable to the FCC and FTC in the U.S., focuses on online platform regulation. It aims to protect children from harmful content. In 2022, the Commissioner’s powers were increased following public outrage over the Facebook livestream of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand and the viral spread of that footage on platforms like Reddit.
Expanding List of Restricted Platforms
The initial list of banned platforms for under-16s was introduced about a year ago after an investigation by the eSafety Commissioner. It started with TikTok, X, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube, but has now grown to include Reddit and Kick.
"According to the Guardian, Roblox, OpenAI’s Sora, Discord, Steam, and Twitch are also on the government’s radar, and could potentially be banned."
Summary
This regulation significantly limits access to popular digital platforms for young Australians, reflecting a unique approach to online safety compared to other countries.
Author's summary
Australia’s new rules restrict under-16s from using Reddit, Kick, and other major social media platforms to protect children from harmful online content.