Photo Credit: Getty Images
Australia has expanded its upcoming social media ban for children under 16 to include Reddit and live-streaming platform Kick, bringing the total number of restricted sites to nine.
From 10 December, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit and Kick will be required to take "reasonable steps" to prevent under-16s from opening accounts or risk fines of up to A$50 million ($32.5m; £25.7m).
The eSafety Commission ruled that the newly added sites met the criteria for inclusion because their "sole or significant purpose" was to enable online social interaction. Communications Minister Anika Wells said the government's list would remain "dynamic," with more platforms potentially added as technology evolves.
"We aren't chasing perfection; we're chasing a meaningful difference," Wells said. "Online platforms can target children with chilling control, and this is about protecting them."
Reddit, which ranks among the world's most-visited websites, and Kick, an emerging Australian rival to Twitch, had earlier been invited to argue against their inclusion. The commission's final decision followed months of consultation with major tech firms.
Under the new rules, social media companies may use various age-verification tools, including government IDs, parental consent, or facial-recognition technology. However, privacy advocates warn that these measures pose risks, including potential misuse of personal data and inaccuracies in verification systems.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the age limit would give young people "valuable time to learn and grow, free of the powerful, unseen forces of opaque algorithms and endless scroll."
Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Discord, along with gaming platforms like Roblox and educational tools such as Google Classroom, will remain exempt. Inman Grant added that her office is still working with some of these platforms to enhance child-safety measures.
Public opinion polls suggest most Australians support the ban, though critics argue it could push children toward less-regulated corners of the internet. Others say the government should instead focus on stricter policing of harmful content and better digital-literacy programs for children.
Australia's move will be closely watched worldwide as other countries debate how to balance online safety with privacy and digital rights.
