Australia Bans Teens Under 16 from Twitch and Other Social Platforms Starting December!

Twitch, a popular streaming website where people play video games and chat with viewers, has been added to Australia’s new social media ban for teenagers. Starting next month, anyone under 16 years old in Australia will not be allowed to create a Twitch account, and those who already have accounts will see them closed in January. This ban also includes other major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The Australian internet regulator said Twitch was included because its main purpose is to let users interact and chat online, which can expose young people to risks. Twitch is owned by Amazon, and a spokesperson confirmed that new accounts for under-16s will be blocked from December 10, while existing accounts will be deactivated from January 9.

Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, explained that Twitch is mostly used for livestreaming and posting content that lets users, including children, interact with others. She said no more platforms are expected to be added to the ban before it starts next month. Twitch was founded in 2007 and has become a favorite for gamers who want to share their gameplay and talk to fans. Last year, Twitch introduced a new way for streamers to earn money by letting fans subscribe to their channels, with the revenue split between Twitch and the creator. Twitch’s own rules already say that children under 13 cannot use the platform, and those between 13 and the legal adult age need permission from a parent or guardian.

Not all social media platforms are included in the ban. For example, Pinterest is not banned because it is mainly used for collecting images and ideas, not for chatting or social interaction. Ms Inman Grant said Pinterest is more about inspiration and idea curation than talking to other people. Australia’s ban is the first in the world to block under-16s from so many social media sites, including YouTube, Reddit, Kick, Threads, and X. Tech companies must take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from using their platforms or face fines up to $49. 5 million. Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, will start blocking under-16s a week before the official ban.

It is still unclear how companies will enforce the ban. Some possible methods include using government IDs, face or voice recognition, or age inference, which estimates a person’s age based on their online behavior. The government says the ban is meant to protect young people from online dangers, such as inappropriate content or contact with strangers. While some people support the ban, others worry it will be difficult to enforce and that teenagers may find ways around it. The new rules are expected to change how young Australians use the internet, and many are watching to see what happens next.