Australia's world-first natural social media ban for under-16s now includes Reddit and Kick, with platforms facing fines up to $49.5 million AUD starting December 10.
Australia is taking its sweeping social media restrictions further. Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed on Wednesday that Reddit and Kick will join eight other platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Snapchat in being age-restricted from December 10. The eSafety Commission determined these services meet the criteria for inclusion because their primary purpose is enabling online social interaction. Platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from holding accounts face fines up to $49.5 million AUD.
The expansion reflects Australia's position as a global first mover on teen social media regulation. Reddit, the world's seventh-most visited website, and Kick, an Australian competitor to Twitch, received notice from regulators and were given opportunities to submit arguments against inclusion before the final decision.
As reported on ABC News Australia, Wells emphasized that the government is "chasing a meaningful difference, not perfection," and noted the list remains dynamic as assessments continue. Tech giants have argued that the tight timeline and slow release of guidance have complicated their preparation efforts.
The community response has been decidedly mixed, with observers raising significant concerns about how the ban will actually work. Many commenters express skepticism about privacy and data security, particularly around age verification methods. A recurring worry centers on the requirement to provide identification to access platforms, with some noting the uncomfortable prospect of submitting personal documents to adult-oriented sites. This tension between protecting minors and safeguarding user privacy has become a central point of debate.
Beyond privacy worries, observers have voiced broader distrust of both government and corporate involvement in regulating internet access. Commenters question whether such restrictions will prove effective and point to generational differences in how young people navigate digital spaces. Some suggest that determined teenagers will find workarounds, while others worry about the precedent being set for government control over online platforms. This happens while AI coding assistants and other new tech platforms continue to evolve.
The ban represents a significant moment in the global conversation about protecting young people online. While supporters argue it addresses genuine harms from predatory algorithms and toxic content, the implementation raises practical questions about enforcement, privacy protection, and whether age restrictions alone can meaningfully change how young people engage with digital platforms. As December 10 approaches, both platforms and parents are grappling with what compliance will actually look like.
