Australia Adds Reddit and Kick to Social Media Platforms Banned for Under-16s
Australia announced on Wednesday that Reddit and livestreaming platform Kick will join a growing list of social media sites required to restrict users under 16 years old, following a groundbreaking law set to take effect next month.
Expanding the List of Restricted Platforms
The two platforms will be added to the existing list that includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Threads, and YouTube, all facing a “world-first legal obligation” to block children from opening or maintaining accounts, 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.
Companies that fail to comply could face fines up to A$50 million (approximately $33 million).
Technology as a Tool to Protect Children
Minister Wells emphasized that while online platforms use technology to target children, the government is simply asking them to use the same tools to ensure child safety.
“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.”
Enforcement and Future Monitoring
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, responsible for overseeing the law's enforcement, stated the list will be updated 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 added.
Research will continue into how this ban might impact children's sleep, social habits, and physical activity.
International Impact
This initiative has attracted attention worldwide as a pioneering effort in child online protection.
Author’s Summary
Australia expands its under-16 social media ban by adding Reddit and Kick, reinforcing a global-first law designed to ensure child safety online with strict enforcement and ongoing research.