Australian Under-16 Social Media Ban to Take Effect: Reddit and Kick Confirmed on Restriction List
News Aggregator /Nes article compiled with assistance of Gemini AI/Fact checking A.Ritenis
CANBERRA, Australia – November 5, 2025
The Australian government is proceeding with its world-first social media minimum age law, confirming that online forum Reddit and video streaming platform Kick are among the eight major services required to block access for users under the age of 16.
The new restrictions, which will also apply to industry giants like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube, are set to be enforced from December 10.
Penalties and Scope
Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the final list of age-restricted platforms Wednesday night, following an assessment by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.
Under the amendments to the Online Safety Act 2021, the platforms must take “reasonable steps” to detect, deactivate, or remove accounts belonging to users under 16. Companies that fail to comply face steep fines of up to $49.5 million.
Minister Wells stressed the government’s protective stance: “There’s a time and place for social media in Australia, but there’s not a place for predatory algorithms, harmful content and toxic popularity [meters] manipulating Australian children.”
Industry Compliance and Concerns
The eSafety Commissioner previously contacted 16 companies for self-assessment, with Reddit and Kick being the two new additions to the final list.
- Reddit is the sole forum discussion-type site included in the ban.
- Kick, an Australian-based streaming platform, was added months after a high-profile streaming-related death in France. Kick has indicated it will cooperate with authorities.
Major platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta have told federal parliament they will comply with the ban despite their policy disagreements. YouTube, however, has maintained its objection to its inclusion and has not yet confirmed its compliance, having previously hinted at potential legal action.
The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has defended the legislation, stating, “Delaying children’s access to social media accounts gives them valuable time to learn and grow, free of the powerful, unseen forces of opaque algorithms and endless scroll.”
Exemptions to the new law include standalone messaging services (like WhatsApp and Messenger Kids), online games, and services essential for education and health. The government has stressed the list of targeted platforms is “dynamic,” indicating more services could be added following ongoing assessments
