Reddit Joins Australia’s Landmark Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Thu Nov 06 2025 02:41:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Australia's new legislation aims to restrict children under 16 from accessing various social media platforms, including Reddit, as part of a significant measure to protect youth online.

Australia is set to implement a groundbreaking social media ban for individuals under 16, with Reddit being one of the latest platforms added to the list, alongside others such as Facebook and TikTok. Starting December 10, tech companies face hefty fines if they do not comply with the mandate, which aims to shield children from potential online harms. The government emphasizes this initiative as a crucial step toward safeguarding youth from harmful content on social media.

Australia is implementing a pioneering ban that prohibits children under 16 from accessing several major social media platforms, including the popular forum site Reddit, which is the latest addition to the list.

The legislation will go into effect on December 10, extending to nine platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads, along with Reddit and live-streaming platform Kick.

Technology companies found failing to deactivate the accounts of users under 16, or allowing new registrations from this age group, could face fines up to A$50 million (approximately $32.5 million or £25.7 million).

The decision to include specific platforms in this ban stems from their primary purpose of facilitating social interactions online. Government officials have noted that additional sites may be considered for inclusion as technology continues to evolve rapidly.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, expressed support for this initiative, emphasizing that it allows children valuable time to develop without being subjected to harmful social media designs, including addictive algorithms.

While messaging services like Discord and WhatsApp, as well as educational tools like Google Classroom and YouTube Kids, are exempt from this ban, concerns about potential tones of excessive control over children’s online access remain.

Critics of the ban are wary about the implications for children, suggesting that restricting their access could isolate them socially and push them toward unregulated areas of the internet. They argue for prioritizing better monitoring of harmful content over outright bans.

While polls indicate broad support for the measure among Australian adults, stakeholders in youth welfare argue for a focus on broader online safety education.

Some influencers, like a popular YouTube family, have already considered relocating overseas to continue content creation as their children are affected by the upcoming restrictions on their access to social media.