Australia is taking a bold step in child safety by broadening its social media ban to include the popular livestream platform Twitch, targeting users under 16 years of age. This initiative marks Australia’s first nationwide prohibition on social media, extending its reach beyond previous bans on platforms such as Facebook, X, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and most recently, Reddit. Notably, Pinterest has been excluded from the ban due to its primary focus on non-interactive content.
The new regulations, set to take effect next month, mandate that social media platforms implement “reasonable steps” to restrict access for underage users or face significant penalties. While some may attempt to circumvent these restrictions through VPN services, the law presents substantial obstacles for individuals under 16 seeking access.
Internationally, this move aligns with recent actions in Denmark, where lawmakers agreed to enforce a similar ban for users under 15, although specifics around implementation remain unclear. In the United States, several states, including Texas and Florida, have introduced similar measures in an effort to safeguard minors online; however, many of these proposals have encountered legal challenges or have yet to be enacted. Utah, for instance, has established a law requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts, but it faces considerable pushback on constitutional grounds.
The increased scrutiny over minors’ social media usage reflects growing concerns about the potential negative impact of these platforms on younger audiences, as studies increasingly highlight the associated risks.
