Australia is set to introduce some of the world’s strictest social media age restrictions, with Reddit and livestreaming platform Kick joining a list of sites that will be off-limits to users under 16 starting December 10, 2025. The new law, announced by Communications Minister Anika Wells on November 5, 2025, expands landmark legislation that already covers Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, Threads, and YouTube. These platforms must now take “reasonable steps” to prevent children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts—or face fines of up to A$50 million (about $33 million USD).
Minister Wells left no room for ambiguity regarding the government’s expectations. “Online platforms use technology to target children with chilling control. We are merely asking that they use that same technology to keep children safe online,” she told reporters, as cited by AFP. She added, “We have met with several of the social media platforms in the past month so that they understand there is no excuse for failure to implement this law.”
The expansion comes amid mounting concern—both in Australia and internationally—over the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, sleep patterns, and social development. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, will oversee enforcement of the new regulations. Grant emphasized that the list of restricted platforms is not static and will continue to evolve as technology changes. “The government’s goal is to give children valuable time to learn and grow, free of the powerful, unseen forces of opaque algorithms and endless scroll,” she told TechRadar.
Companies that do not comply with the new rules could face penalties of up to A$50 million. The law requires platforms to implement age-assurance technologies—potentially including biometric analysis or the collection of sensitive identity documents—to verify users’ ages. However, the legislation stops short of mandating that every user be verified. Instead, platforms must take “reasonable steps” to detect and remove under-16 users, though what constitutes “reasonable” remains somewhat ambiguous. This ambiguity has left some tech companies worried about compliance and enforcement.
Notably, platforms such as Roblox, Discord, and WhatsApp are currently excluded from the ban, but the streaming site Twitch is under review, and the list could change at any time. “The list of banned platforms is not static and could change,” Minister Wells confirmed, highlighting the dynamic nature of the regulatory approach.
The Australian government’s move has attracted international attention. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously praised Australia’s “common sense” approach to online child protection, suggesting that the initiative could serve as a model for other countries. “There is keen interest in whether Australia’s sweeping restrictions can work as regulators around the globe wrestle with the dangers of social media,” reported AFP.
Yet the policy has not gone unchallenged. More than 140 academic experts have signed open letters warning that the age verification requirements could compromise the privacy of all Australian users, not just children. Critics argue that the necessary verification methods—such as biometric scans or uploading identity documents—create new risks to data security and could lead to the extensive collection of personal information. “Critics fear the age verification methods required will compromise the data privacy of all Australian users,” TechRadar noted.
Minister Wells, however, has sought to reassure the public that privacy will not be sacrificed in the name of safety. “The government aims to maintain personal data as private as possible while ensuring child safety online,” she emphasized, according to reporting by Piri.net. The eSafety Commissioner’s office has pledged to monitor the law’s impact, gathering evidence about its effects on children’s sleep, social development, and physical activity, as well as any unintended consequences.
Social media companies have been vocal in their criticism, describing the laws as “vague,” “problematic,” and “rushed.” They argue that the requirements may be difficult to implement effectively, especially as tech-savvy users can often bypass regional restrictions using tools like virtual private networks (VPNs). In other countries where similar bans have been attempted, VPNs have allowed underage users to circumvent age gates and location blocks, raising questions about the practical effectiveness of Australia’s approach.
Kick, which was founded in Australia but now serves a global audience, responded to the new rules with a statement balancing support for online safety and creative freedom. “Australia represents a small share of our global audience, but Kick was built here and we’ll keep backing our local creators,” a spokesperson told Channel News Asia. “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.”
Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, has been clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. She described age restrictions as a “really potent solution” to social media harm, but cautioned that they are not a quick fix. “It’s not a silver bullet,” she said, acknowledging that enforcement will be an ongoing process and that the digital landscape is constantly shifting.
The law’s rollout will be closely monitored, not just by Australian parents and policymakers, but by regulators worldwide. The eSafety Commissioner’s office is preparing to collect data on how the ban affects children’s well-being, hoping to build a research base that could inform similar measures abroad. “The commissioner's office will monitor potential unintended consequences and gather evidence regarding the ban's effects on children's sleep patterns, social development, and physical activity levels, creating a research base for other nations considering similar measures,” Piri.net reported.
Despite the controversy, Minister Wells remains adamant that the legislation is both necessary and achievable. She points to the sophisticated technology already used by social media platforms to target advertising and deliver content, arguing that these same tools can—and should—be repurposed to protect children. “We want children to have a childhood and we want parents to have peace of mind,” Wells told reporters, as cited by AFP.
As December 10 approaches, Australia finds itself at the forefront of a global debate over how best to balance the benefits and dangers of social media. The coming months will reveal whether these bold new rules can deliver on their promise to keep children safe online—without unduly compromising privacy or stifling digital innovation.
