Australia will enforce its social media age restriction law starting December 10, extending the ban to Reddit and Kick. Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed that both platforms must now block users under 16, joining Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Threads, and YouTube.
Wells said the rule makes Australia the first country to legally require platforms to close accounts held by underage users. Companies that fail to take reasonable action will face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28.3 million). “We met with several platforms this month to ensure full compliance,” Wells said in Canberra. “These companies use advanced technology to target children. We’re asking them to use that same power to protect them.”
Government and Regulator Outline Next Steps
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who will enforce the ban, said the list of restricted platforms will evolve with new technologies. “Any site whose main purpose is social interaction falls under this rule,” she said. Inman Grant also plans to partner with researchers to study how the law affects children’s lives, including their sleep, social behaviour, and physical activity.
“We’ll monitor for unintended consequences and gather data so other countries can learn from our experience,” she added. The Australian government said the restrictions mark a critical step toward protecting young users from the negative effects of online platforms.
Global Praise and Local Debate Over Privacy
Australia’s initiative has drawn international attention and praise. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the policy “a common-sense example” during a UN forum in New York. Denmark’s ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, said her government would study the move as it considers similar protections for children.
However, critics argue the rule could harm user privacy by forcing everyone to prove their age. Wells assured citizens that the government intends to protect data as much as possible during enforcement.
Last year, more than 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese opposing the policy. They argued that an age-based restriction is “too blunt an instrument to manage online risks effectively.” Despite the controversy, the government maintains that children’s safety must come first as Australia leads the world in regulating social media access.
