Australia Expands Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Australia has added Reddit and the livestreaming platform Kick to its list of social media sites barred to users under 16, broadening a pioneering law set to come into effect next month.
New Platforms Included
Reddit and Kick will be added to the existing list that includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Threads, and YouTube. These platforms now face a “world-first legal obligation” to prevent children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts, said Communications Minister Anika Wells.
Legal and Financial Consequences
Platforms failing to comply with the law could face fines up to A$50 million (US$33 million).
“We have met with several of the 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.
“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.”
Oversight and Future Developments
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who will oversee the law’s enforcement, explained that the list of restricted platforms will adapt as new technologies emerge.
“We’ll also look for unintended consequences and we’ll be gathering evidence so that others could learn from Australia’s achievements,” Grant added, highlighting ongoing studies on the ban’s effects on children’s sleep, social interactions, and physical activity.
International Impact
This initiative has drawn global attention as a significant step in protecting children online.
Author’s summary: Australia leads the way with a groundbreaking social media law banning under-16 users on major platforms, enforcing strict penalties and continuous oversight to safeguard youth online.