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

Australia has widened its upcoming social media ban for under-16s, adding Reddit and livestreaming site Kick to the list of platforms that will soon be off-limits to children. The new rules take effect on 10th December, with companies facing fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) if they fail to block or remove underage users.

The ban now covers Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, Threads, Reddit, and Kick — nine of the world’s biggest social platforms. Each is classified as having “social interaction” as its main or significant purpose, according to the government.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said the goal is simple: protecting kids from harmful design features and manipulative algorithms. “Online platforms use technology to target children with chilling control. We are merely asking that they use that same technology to keep children safe online,” she said. “We want children to have a childhood, and we want parents to have peace of mind.”

The eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who will oversee enforcement of the ban, said delaying kids’ access to social media “gives them 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.” She added that more sites could still be added to the list. Platforms such as Roblox, Twitch, Discord, and OpenAI’s video tool Sora are under review. “This is a dynamic list, and it will always change,” Inman Grant said.

The decision to add Reddit and Kick comes just weeks before the law is set to take effect, prompting criticism from the opposition. Shadow communications minister Melissa McIntosh accused the government of “policy on the run,” saying parents remain unsure which platforms are covered and how age verification will actually work.

Tech firms will be required to take “reasonable steps” to stop under-16s signing up, though exactly how they’ll do that is still unclear. Options could include facial recognition, ID checks, or parental approval — all of which have raised privacy and accuracy concerns.

Most Australians support the age limit, according to polls, but some experts warn it could have unintended consequences. Critics say cutting young people off from major platforms might drive them toward less-regulated sites and doesn’t address the need for stronger moderation of harmful content.

Despite the debate, Australia’s law is being closely watched by other countries considering similar measures. Inman Grant said her team will study the ban’s impact — including whether kids spend more time socializing in person or being physically active. “We’ll also look for unintended consequences, and we’ll be gathering evidence,” she said.

Some companies, like Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads), have said they’ll comply despite opposing the policy. Others, including YouTube and Elon Musk’s X, have not confirmed whether they’ll follow suit.

For now, Reddit becomes the first major discussion forum caught up in the ban, while Kick joins after a turbulent year that saw controversy over a user’s death in France. Kick said it’s cooperating with authorities and is reviewing its content to ensure a safer environment.

As Wells put it, “We aren’t chasing perfection, we are chasing a meaningful difference.”