Australia will extend its social media child ban on December 10, adding Reddit and Kick to the list of restricted platforms. Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed that the rule now applies to nine major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, Threads, and Snapchat.
Wells said all platforms must block or remove accounts belonging to children under 16. Companies that fail to take reasonable action face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28.3 million). “We’ve met with several platforms this month,” Wells told reporters in Canberra. “They have no excuse for failing to enforce this law. These companies use powerful technology to target children — we’re asking them to use it to protect them instead.”
Enforcement and Evaluation Plans Announced
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant will oversee enforcement and ensure compliance. She said the list of age-restricted platforms would evolve with emerging technologies. “We’ll study how this policy affects children — their sleep, social interactions, and physical activity,” Inman Grant explained. “We’ll also identify any unintended outcomes and collect evidence so others can learn from Australia’s experience.”
A government statement clarified that restricted platforms share one key trait — their main purpose involves enabling online social interaction. Inman Grant said she will work with researchers to monitor the results and measure the law’s real-world impact.
Global Reaction and Ongoing Debate
Australia’s move has drawn international attention from governments exploring similar regulations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the decision during a UN forum in New York, calling it a “common-sense” approach to online safety. Denmark’s Ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, said her government “will study Australia’s example” to improve protections for children online.
However, critics argue the policy could harm privacy by forcing all users to verify their age. More than 140 academics signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warning that age limits are “too blunt an instrument” to address online risks effectively.
Minister Wells said the government remains committed to balancing protection and privacy. “We want to keep users’ data secure while ensuring children stay safe online,” she said. “Our goal is a safer digital world without unnecessary data intrusion.”
