America’s most popular social news forum, Reddit, has been added to Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under 16, which will take effect from December 2025.
The Australian government has expanded its social media restriction list targeting multiple forums including the live-streaming platform Kick, along with several other sites targeted such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Threads and X (formerly known as Twitter).
From December 10, 2025, tech companies can be fined up to A$50m ($32.5m; £25.7m) if they do not take 'reasonable steps' to deactivate existing accounts for under-16s and prohibit new ones.
The Australian government explained that each banned platform was chosen because "their sole purpose is to enable online social interaction," and that more sites may be added given the "fast-changing" nature of technology.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said, "Delaying children's access to social media accounts gives them valuable time to learn and grow, free of the powerful, unseen forces of harmful and deceptive design features such as opaque algorithms and endless scroll.”
Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells said the online platforms can target children with "chilling control" and the ban was about protecting children.
"We aren't chasing perfection, we are chasing a meaningful difference," said Anika.
It is unclear how companies will implement the ban as it is being closely watched by global leaders.
But some of the potential methods include using official ID documents, parental approval and facial recognition technology.
Messaging services Discord and WhatsApp and gaming platforms such as Lego Play and Roblox will not be included in the ban.
Google Classroom and YouTube Kids will also be accessible to children under-16.
