Streaming platform Twitch added to Australia's teen social media ban
2 days ago
- #Australia
- #teen ban
- #social media
- Twitch added to Australia's teen social media ban starting next month.
- Ban includes platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Kick, Threads, and X.
- Under-16s cannot open new accounts; existing ones will be deactivated from 10 December (new accounts) and 9 January (existing accounts).
- Twitch included due to its focus on 'online social interaction' where users chat about posted content.
- Ban aims to reduce 'pressures and risks' children face on social media, including harmful content.
- Twitch's policy already prohibits under-13s; 13+ requires parental permission.
- Pinterest excluded as its core purpose is not social interaction but image curation.
- Tech companies must take 'reasonable steps' to enforce the ban or face fines up to $49.5m.
- Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Threads) will start closing under-16 accounts from 4 December.
- Enforcement methods may include government IDs, facial/voice recognition, or age inference.