Australia is gearing up to enforce a ban on social media use for users under 16, with Twitch being the latest platform to make the list of banned services. The country’s internet regulator, eSafety, has added Twitch to the list of prohibited platforms just weeks before the new rules take effect. However, Pinterest has been excluded from the ban, in accordance with Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) rules.
According to a Twitch spokesperson, Australians under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on the platform starting December 10. Existing accounts for users under 16 will be deactivated on January 9. Globally, Twitch allows users aged 13 and older to use the platform, with parental or guardian involvement required for users under the legal age of adulthood in their region.
On the other hand, Pinterest, a platform primarily used for collecting images and ideas, has not been included in the age-restricted rules. The eSafety agency in Australia categorizes Twitch as an “age-restricted social media platform” due to its emphasis on online social interaction and engagement features like livestreaming.
The underage social media ban in Australia, set to go into effect on December 10, will also apply to other major platforms such as Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube (excluding YouTube Kids and Google Classroom), Reddit, and the local streaming service, Kick. These platforms will be required to block account access for users under 16 as per the internet regulator’s statement.
Australia had passed a law over a year ago banning social media use for children under 16. Tech giants like Google and Meta had requested the government to delay enforcement until the country completed its age-verification trial.
In a bid to help platforms comply with the SMMA rules, the regulator provides a self-assessment tool for them to determine their obligations. Other countries, like the U.S. and the U.K., are also taking steps to regulate internet content access, with varying approaches. The U.K.’s Online Safety Act, which came into effect in July, mandates social media and online platforms to block children’s access to harmful content or face significant fines. Strong age checks are required for high-risk content to protect users under 18 in the U.K.
As the landscape of internet regulation evolves globally, it will be interesting to see how different countries continue to adapt their policies to ensure a safer online environment for users of all ages.
