Australia expands social media ban for under-16s, adding Reddit and Kick

Australia has extended its upcoming ban on children under 16 using social media to include two more platforms—Reddit and Kick—joining Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Threads, and YouTube under the same rule.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said the law, set to take effect from December 10, aims to push tech companies to use the same tools they deploy to attract young users to instead protect them. “We have met with several social media platforms in the past month so that they understand there is no excuse for failure to implement this law,” Wells said in Canberra.

Under the new regulation, companies that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent children younger than 16 from opening accounts could face fines of up to AUD 50 million.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who will oversee enforcement, said the list of restricted platforms will continue to evolve as new technologies emerge. “We’ll also study the impacts of the ban, including how it affects children’s sleep, activity, and social behaviour,” she noted.

The decision has sparked wide global interest. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described Australia’s action as a “common-sense” step and said it could inspire similar efforts elsewhere. At the same time, several academics and child-safety specialists have voiced concerns about how the rule will be enforced, warning that verifying users’ ages might lead to privacy risks for everyone online.

Even with the debate, the Australian government has stood firm. Officials have said the changes are about giving young people a safer digital space, not limiting access, and that they will continue to find ways to protect user data while making sure social media companies meet their responsibilities.