Australia has expanded its upcoming under-16 social media ban to include Reddit and the Australian streaming platform Kick, just five weeks before the law takes effect.
The two platforms join a growing list of services — including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), Threads and YouTube — that will soon be restricted to users aged 16 and over.
However, popular gaming app Roblox has been granted a temporary reprieve, despite ongoing concerns in both Australia and the US that predators have targeted children through the platform. Messaging services such as Messenger, WhatsApp and Discord, along with YouTube Kids and educational apps like Google Classroom, will remain exempt.
From December 10, social media companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to block underage users could face penalties of up to $49.5 million.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the move would give young Australians “time to grow and learn free from harmful design features such as algorithms and endless scrolling.” She stressed that the age restriction was part of a broader national strategy to improve online safety.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the ban was about “showing parents we have their backs,” acknowledging that while some children might find ways around it, the law would “make a meaningful difference.”
Wells called the new rules a “treatment plan, not a cure,” describing them as the first step in reshaping online culture for the next generation.
Critics, however, warn that tech-savvy minors could still use VPNs or fake their age to bypass the system. Experts argue that Australia must ensure strong verification and enforcement measures to make the ban effective.
