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Australia Expands Social Media Age Restrictions to Include Reddit and Kick
Australia has expanded its groundbreaking social media restrictions, adding popular platforms Reddit and livestreaming service Kick to the list of services that must ban accounts held by children under 16 years old.
Communications Minister Anika Wells announced Wednesday that these platforms will join Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube in facing legal obligations to shut down underage accounts starting December 10. The measure represents the world’s first nationwide legal age restriction for social media.
“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 told reporters in Canberra. Platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to exclude children younger than 16 could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million).
The government’s stance reflects growing global concern about social media’s impact on young users. “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,” Wells added.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who will enforce the ban, explained that the list of restricted platforms currently includes nine services that meet the key requirement of having a “sole or significant purpose to enable online social interaction.” She indicated the list would evolve alongside technological developments.
Inman Grant said her office will collaborate with academics to evaluate the ban’s effects, including potential positive outcomes such as improved sleep, increased face-to-face interactions, and greater physical activity among young people. “We’ll also look for unintended consequences and we’ll be gathering evidence” so that others could learn from Australia’s experience, she noted.
The Australian approach has garnered international attention as governments worldwide grapple with similar concerns. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen specifically praised Australia’s “common sense” legislation during a United Nations forum in New York last September, calling it “inspiring.”
The restrictions come amid mounting research suggesting links between social media use and negative mental health outcomes in children and adolescents. Studies have documented increased rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption among young social media users, while platforms’ algorithmic content delivery systems have faced criticism for potentially exposing minors to harmful content.
However, the legislation has drawn criticism from privacy advocates and some experts. Critics worry that verifying users’ ages could compromise privacy across all user demographics, not just children, as platforms implement age verification systems. Minister Wells has responded by stating the government’s commitment to keeping users’ data “as private as possible.”
More than 140 Australian and international academics specializing in technology and child welfare signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year opposing the age restrictions as “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.” These experts argue that nuanced education and platform design improvements might better address the underlying issues.
The Australian policy represents one of the most aggressive regulatory approaches globally toward social media companies, which have traditionally operated with minimal government oversight. Tech industry observers note that the success or failure of Australia’s implementation could significantly influence similar legislation being considered in Europe, North America, and Asia.
As the December implementation deadline approaches, all major platforms are reportedly working to develop age verification systems that comply with the new rules while minimizing disruption to their services.
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10 Comments
This is a bold move by Australia to protect children from the potential harms of social media. Restricting access for under-16s is a necessary step, even if some platforms may resist. It will be interesting to see how this policy is implemented and enforced across different services.
This is a bold step, but one that seems necessary given the real mental health risks social media poses for young people. I hope other countries follow Australia’s lead on this important issue.
Kudos to Australia for taking action, but the devil will be in the details. Effective enforcement and avoiding loopholes will be critical. I hope the government works closely with platforms to get this right for the benefit of young users.
While social media can provide valuable connections, the risks for young users are well-documented. I’m glad to see Australia taking a proactive stance to mitigate those dangers. Platforms need to prioritize child safety, even if it impacts their user base and bottom line.
Absolutely. Profit motives shouldn’t come before protecting vulnerable young people. Platforms will have to adapt, and this could set a helpful precedent for other countries to follow.
This is a sensible policy move, though enforcement will be the real challenge. Platforms will need robust age verification systems and a willingness to suspend non-compliant accounts. It’s a complex issue but one that demands urgent attention.
This is a complex issue without easy answers. While protecting minors is paramount, we must also consider the social and educational benefits that social media can provide. I’m interested to see how the policy evolves and is implemented in practice.
I’m curious to see how Reddit and Kick respond to these new requirements. As popular platforms, they may fight the restrictions. But the wellbeing of young users has to come first. Hopefully they’ll work constructively with the government on implementation.
Agreed. While platforms may resist, they need to recognize their responsibility in this area. Pushing back against reasonable safeguards could seriously damage public trust.
While I understand the intent, I’m concerned about the potential for overreach or unintended consequences. Age verification can be tricky, and a blanket ban may inadvertently limit valuable online communities for teens. Still, the core objective is sound.