Australia has recently announced that the popular forum Reddit is included in its world-first social media ban aimed at children under 16, which comes into effect on December 10. This ban also extends to the live-streaming platform Kick, raising the total number of targeted websites to nine, which already includes major platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.
From the set date, tech companies face potential fines of up to A$50 million ($32.5 million; £25.7 million) if they do not take necessary measures to deactivate existing accounts held by those under this age and prevent new registrations. The Australian government highlighted that the banned platforms were chosen primarily due to their focus on enabling social interaction online, and they may add more sites in light of changing technologies.
Delaying children's access to social media accounts gives them valuable time to learn and grow, free of the powerful, unseen forces of harmful and deceptive design features such as opaque algorithms and endless scroll, stated Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner.
Messaging services such as Discord and WhatsApp, along with gaming platforms like Lego Play and Roblox, are not included in the ban, nor are educational services like Google Classroom and YouTube Kids.
Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized that the ban aims to shield children from the 'chilling control' of online platforms and affirmed that the goal is to achieve a meaningful difference rather than perfection. However, how this ban will be implemented remains unclear. Various potential methods could include the use of official ID documents, parental consent, and even facial recognition technology.
Regarding concerns from critics, apprehensions about data privacy and the reliability of age verification methods have been raised. A report indicated that the proposed systems carry inherent risks or flaws.
While polls show that a majority of Australian adults support the ban, some mental health advocates argue it may isolate children from valuable connections, potentially pushing them towards less regulated areas of the internet. They suggest the government should prioritize the policing of harmful content rather than an outright ban.
In a notable response to this ban, an Australian influencer family with millions of YouTube followers revealed their decision to relocate to the UK, enabling their 14-year-old daughter to continue creating online content. Initially exempted, YouTube was later included in the ban due to its association with harmful content viewed by younger audiences.
Teens under 16 will still have access to YouTube videos but will be barred from having accounts, which are necessary for uploading content or interacting on the platform.
