Australia has expanded its sweeping crackdown on online safety for minors, announcing that popular platforms Reddit and streaming site Kick will be added to the list of services banned for users under 16.
The restrictions, which take effect on December 10, require social media companies to remove underage users or face penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 32 million).
The ban already includes major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and now extends to two additional internet giants frequently used by young audiences.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said on Wednesday that digital platforms have long used sophisticated tools to target children — and must now deploy the same technology to protect them.
“Online platforms use technology to target children with chilling control,” Wells said. “We are merely asking they use that same technology to keep children safe online. We want children to have a childhood, and we want parents to have peace of mind.”
Australia’s new law is among the toughest in the world, and its success is being closely watched by regulators internationally as governments grapple with the risks of social media on young people. Still, some experts worry the measures may be mostly symbolic, with enforcement proving difficult.
For now, platforms such as Roblox, Discord, and WhatsApp will not be included in the ban, though Twitch remains under review. Wells emphasized that the list is “not static” and could change as further assessments are made.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant noted that while age restrictions are a “potent solution,” they are not an instant remedy to online harms.
Social media companies have criticized the legislation as “vague,” “problematic,” and “rushed,” raising concerns about unclear compliance requirements.
Kick — which originated in Australia — responded by acknowledging the new rules while pledging continued support for local creators.
“Australia represents a small share of our global audience, but Kick was built here and we’ll keep backing our local creators,” a company spokesperson said. “We’ll continue engaging constructively on these new rules to support fair outcomes: protecting online safety without compromising privacy or limiting the creative freedom that drives Australia’s creator economy.”
Kick has faced controversy abroad, including in France, where a 46-year-old man died earlier this year during a 12-day livestream marathon that involved abuse and humiliation from other participants.
The Australian government has previously clarified that platforms will not be required to verify every user’s age, but must take “reasonable steps” to detect and remove under-16 users.
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