Australia will enforce a nationwide social media age restriction starting December 10. The government has now added Reddit and livestreaming site Kick to the list of platforms that must block users under sixteen. Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the update on Wednesday, confirming that the law will also apply to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
Platforms that fail to remove or block accounts belonging to children under sixteen face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28.3 million). “We have met with several social media companies to make sure they understand there is no excuse for ignoring this law,” Wells said in Canberra.
She added, “These companies use technology to target children with alarming precision. We now demand they use the same tools to protect them.”
Regulators Prepare to Enforce and Evaluate the Ban
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant will oversee enforcement and ensure compliance across platforms. She confirmed that the list of restricted sites will evolve as new technologies emerge. “The key requirement is that their main purpose is enabling social interaction,” the government said in a statement.
Inman Grant plans to collaborate with academics to assess the law’s long-term effects. “We’ll examine whether children sleep better, engage more socially, or become more physically active,” she said. “We’ll also study unintended consequences and share what we learn so others can benefit from Australia’s experience.”
Countries worldwide are observing the rollout closely. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Australia’s “common-sense approach” during a UN forum in New York. Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, said her government would study the policy as it develops its own child safety measures.
Debate Over Privacy and Effectiveness Grows
Critics warn that the law could compromise privacy by forcing all users to verify their ages. More than 140 Australian and international scholars signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year, calling the rule “too blunt an instrument” to address online risks effectively.
Minister Wells responded that the government remains committed to protecting both children and privacy. “We will ensure that user data stays as private as possible,” she said.
Despite concerns, officials believe the policy marks a turning point in global social media regulation. By targeting underage access, Australia aims to balance technological freedom with child safety — a model that other nations may soon follow.
