US EditionAustralia Expands Social Media Restrictions for Users Under 16 Including Reddit and Kick
Australia's ban on social media for under-16s covers 10 major platforms and includes fines up to A$49.5 million for noncompliance, aiming to protect children from harmful content.
- On December 10, Australia will bar users under 16 from Reddit, Kick and seven other major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube, Communications Minister Anika Wells said.
- The government says the measure responds to evidence linking early social media use to mental‑health risks, cyber‑bullying, and inappropriate content, prompted by News Corp's Let Them Be Kids campaign.
- Platforms must adopt a multilayered 'waterfall' method to detect, deactivate and prevent underage accounts, cannot rely solely on self‑declared ages, and face fines of up to $49.5 million for noncompliance.
- Enforcement falls to platforms, which must block underage users without penalties, but critics warn Digital ID and biometric verification raise privacy concerns and complicate enforcement.
- The eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says assessments will continue as other countries observing Australia include Denmark, which last month announced its own age-limit plans, while Roblox, Twitch and Steam remain under review.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Minister Anika Wells confirmed the extension of the ban to minors on social platforms, reactivating the debate on privacy and digital protection of minors in the country
Reddit and Kick added to Australia's social media ban as deadline looms – but critics are increasingly concerned
Australia's eSafety Commissioner has added online forum Reddit and streaming service Kick to its list of platforms subject to an impending ban for under-16s. The law, which comes into effect soon, raises questions about online privacy and the effectiveness of such widespread restrictions
Australia is expanding its social media ban for children under the age of 16. As of December 10, the Internet Forum Reddit and the Australian live streaming platform Kick.com, which competes with Twitch, will also have to comply with the new legal requirements, the responsible online security authority eSafety announced. This will increase the number of affected providers to nine, including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Tech…
Observador
IOL PortugalThe law enters into force on 10 December. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will have to remove accounts of less than 16 years old or face fines up to $49.5 million in Australia.
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