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8h ago

Australia Adds Reddit and Kick to Under-16 Social Media Ban Starting December 10

Regulators say the evolving list targets services whose primary purpose is social interaction, with large fines for platforms that fail to keep underage users off their accounts.

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A mobile icon of the Reddit app.
FILE - A young girl uses her phone while sitting on a bench in Sydney, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)
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Overview

  • The age-restricted roster now includes Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit and Kick.
  • Platforms must take reasonable steps to detect and deactivate accounts held by users under 16 or face penalties of up to A$49.5–50 million.
  • eSafety confirmed that Roblox, Discord, WhatsApp, Messenger, YouTube Kids and several others are exempt for now, with reassessments to follow as services change.
  • TikTok, Snap and Meta told parliament they will comply despite objections, while YouTube and X have expressed opposition and have signalled possible legal challenges.
  • The law prohibits requiring government ID as the sole age check and applies a purpose-based test rather than a harms assessment, underscoring enforcement and privacy hurdles.