Australia Expands Social Media Ban for Under-16s to Include Reddit and Kick

Australia has expanded its under-16 social media ban to include Reddit and Kick, bringing the total to nine platforms, with companies facing fines of up to A$50 million for non-compliance.

Australia has expanded its world-first social media ban for children under 16 to include Reddit and the live-streaming platform Kick, the government announced, bringing the total number of restricted platforms to nine. The ban, which comes into effect on 10 December, also covers Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and Threads.

Under the new rules, companies face fines of up to A$50 million if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to deactivate existing accounts for under-16s or prevent new registrations. The government said the measure targets platforms whose “sole or significant purpose is to enable online social interaction,” and additional platforms may be added as technology rapidly evolves.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said the ban will give children “valuable time to learn and grow free of the powerful, unseen forces of harmful and deceptive design features such as opaque algorithms and endless scroll.” Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells added that the move is aimed at shielding young Australians from online platforms that can exercise “chilling control” over children.

Messaging apps such as Discord and WhatsApp, along with gaming platforms including Lego Play and Roblox, are exempt, as are educational platforms like Google Classroom and YouTube Kids. Critics have raised concerns over data privacy, the reliability of age verification, and the possibility that the ban could push children toward less-regulated corners of the internet.

Some mental health advocates have warned that the restriction could limit social connections for young people, suggesting that the government instead focus on policing harmful content while equipping children with digital literacy skills. Nonetheless, public polling indicates most Australian adults support the move, with officials emphasising that the aim is “not perfection, but meaningful protection” for children navigating the online world.

This legislation represents a landmark step in global efforts to regulate social media use among minors, placing Australia at the forefront of child protection in the digital age.