Australia Expands Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Australia has included Reddit and the livestreaming platform Kick in its expanding list of social media services that must block users under the age of 16. This move extends a pioneering law scheduled to begin next month.
Platforms Affected by the New Law
- Kick
- TikTok
- X
- Snapchat
- Threads
- YouTube
These platforms face a “world-first legal obligation” to prevent children from creating or maintaining accounts under 16 years old. Failure to comply could lead to fines as high as A$50 million (approximately $33 million), according to Communications Minister Anika Wells.
“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.”
Oversight and Future Monitoring
Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner responsible for enforcing the law, indicated that the list of restricted platforms would adapt 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,” she said. She added that research is ongoing into how this ban might impact children’s sleep, social behavior, and physical activity.
This initiative has attracted attention from around the world for its innovative approach to child online safety.
Author’s summary: Australia’s upcoming law requires major social media platforms, including Reddit and Kick, to block users under 16, with strict penalties and ongoing oversight to protect children online.