Technology
Australia to Ban Reddit, Kick for Under-16s in New Social Media Crackdown
Australia has announced plans to ban Reddit and streaming giant Kick for users under 16 years old starting from December 10, as part of a sweeping move to strengthen online child safety laws.
The country will compel major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to remove users below the age of 16 or face fines of up to AU$49.5 million (US$32 million) if they fail to comply.
Confirming the inclusion of Reddit and Kick under the new policy, Minister for Communications Anika Wells said the aim was to ensure that technology used to target children can also be used to protect them.
“Online platforms use technology to target children with chilling control,” Wells told reporters.
“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.”
The new rules among the strictest social media regulations in the world come amid global concerns about the impact of digital platforms on young users’ mental health and privacy.
While Kick and Reddit are confirmed for the ban, other platforms such as Roblox, Discord, and WhatsApp are exempt for now. Streaming site Twitch is currently under review and may be added later.
Wells emphasized that the list of banned platforms would not remain static, noting that it could expand as technology evolves.
Meanwhile, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant acknowledged that while age restrictions were a powerful tool against social media harm, they were not a “quick fix.”
Social media companies have criticized the law, describing it as “vague,” “problematic,” and “rushed.”
A Kick spokesperson responded to the announcement, reaffirming the platform’s commitment to working with regulators:
“Australia represents a small share of our global audience, but Kick was built here and we’ll keep backing our local creators.
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 recently faced scrutiny in France after a tragic incident in which a 46-year-old man died during a 12-day livestream marathon, raising questions about safety measures on the platform.
Earlier this year, the Australian government clarified that social media companies would not be required to verify every user’s age, but must take “reasonable steps” to detect and deactivate underage accounts.
