seniorspectrumnewspaper – Australia will implement a groundbreaking social media ban for users under 16, starting 10 December 2025. The new rule will prevent teenagers from creating accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Twitch, the popular streaming platform owned by Amazon, will also fall under this ban. From 10 December, Australians under 16 will no longer be able to open Twitch accounts. And the platform will deactivate existing accounts for this age group starting 9 January 2026.
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The decision to include Twitch in the ban stems from its primary focus on “online social interaction.” Unlike other platforms where users mostly post content for consumption. Twitch encourages interaction between streamers and viewers, making it a social space for users, including minors, to engage with others. Julie Inman Grant, the Australian eSafety Commissioner. Emphasized that Twitch’s interactive nature made it a key platform of concern in the government’s effort to protect children from online risks.
The ban aims to reduce the exposure of minors to harmful content, cyberbullying, and other pressures often associated with social media. The Australian government has already outlined that companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from accessing their platforms or face significant fines of up to $49.5 million (US$32 million or £25 million).
How the Ban Will Affect Other Platforms and Enforcement Challenges
This new legislation doesn’t only affect Twitch. It also includes other popular platforms like YouTube, Reddit, Kick, Threads, and X (formerly Twitter). The eSafety Commissioner explained that Pinterest, which is primarily used for image curation and inspiration. Will not be banned because it doesn’t focus on social interaction.
As part of the policy, major tech companies like Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, have already begun taking steps to comply. Meta announced that it would start closing accounts of under-16 users as early as 4 December, a week before the official ban kicks in. This proactive measure aims to avoid penalties for not meeting the required age restrictions.
Enforcing the ban presents challenges for both the government and tech companies. Possible methods include using government-issued IDs, biometric recognition like face or voice scans. Or analyzing online behavior to infer users’ ages. Age inference uses data such as online interactions and activity patterns to estimate a person’s age, but this method is not foolproof and raises privacy concerns.
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The move to protect children from the potential dangers of social media has garnered both support and skepticism. While some argue that the ban is a necessary step to safeguard young users. Others question its effectiveness and the ability of tech companies to enforce such strict age controls. As the ban comes into effect, all eyes will be on how companies adapt and whether the initiative truly reduces online risks for Australian teens.
