Australia is weighing a dramatic expansion of its proposed ban on social media access for children under 16, in what could become one of the world’s strictest online safety regimes.
According to an AFP report, the country’s eSafety Commissioner has asked 16 additional platforms — including WhatsApp, Reddit, Twitch, Kick, Roblox, Steam, Pinterest, and Lego Play — to conduct a “self-assessment” to determine whether they fall within the scope of the new age-restriction framework.
The move builds on Australia’s unprecedented plan to ban children under 16 from using certain platforms amid growing concerns about cyberbullying, harmful content, sexual exploitation, and mental health risks associated with prolonged social media use.
Apps such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook have already been earmarked under the proposed restrictions, making Australia the first country in the world to move towards a sweeping national under-16 ban on major digital platforms.
If enforced, the expanded rules would mean that under-16s could be blocked from accessing not just mainstream social apps, but also popular gaming and streaming platforms used by millions of young Australians.
The Australian government has said the crackdown is part of a wider push to ensure “a safer online environment” for children, while also holding tech giants accountable for content moderation and user protections.
Lawmakers are currently consulting with industry stakeholders, parents, and child-safety advocates before the final list of restricted apps is confirmed.
Critics, however, warn that the ban could raise questions about digital rights, parental responsibility, and enforcement, as young people may still find ways to circumvent restrictions using VPNs or fake IDs.
Still, if the proposal moves forward, it would set a global precedent for regulating how minors engage with social platforms — and could inspire similar moves in other countries grappling with the harms of unregulated digital spaces.
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