Twitch Joins Australia’s Social Media Ban for Teens

Fri Nov 21 2025 09:50:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Australia expands its social media restrictions to include Twitch, aiming to safeguard children from online risks starting next month.

The Australian government will implement a new social media ban for users under 16, including popular platforms like Twitch. The ban goes into effect on December 10, requiring platforms to prevent underage registrations and deactivate existing accounts by January 9. The move is part of efforts to reduce online risks for children, following similar restrictions on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Twitch, a streaming platform popular with gamers, has been added to Australia's teen social media ban which starts next month.

It joins other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat that must ensure under-16s cannot open accounts and existing ones are closed from December 10.

Australia's internet regulator overseeing the ban stated that Twitch, owned by Amazon, was included as its main focus is online social interaction where users are encouraged to communicate regarding shared content.

A Twitch spokesperson confirmed that Australians under 16 will be prohibited from opening accounts starting December 10, and existing accounts belonging to users within that age range will be deactivated by January 9.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized the reasoning behind Twitch's inclusion, noting it as a platform primarily used for livestreaming and content that fosters interactions among users, including Australian children.

No additional platforms are anticipated to be included in the ban before its start date next month, Ms. Inman Grant mentioned.

The Australian government has previously stated that the ban aims to mitigate the pressures and risks children face on social media, including exposure to harmful content.

Established in 2007, Twitch has significantly gained popularity as a livestreaming platform, where users typically play video games while engaging with their audience.

Recently, the platform announced plans to enhance revenue sharing with creators, enabling streamers to monetize their content through subscriber support.

Twitch's policy already restricts users under 13 from accessing its services, while those aged 13 to the legal age in their country can participate with parental consent.

Ms. Inman Grant clarified that Pinterest is not included in the ban as it serves a different purpose, focusing more on image curation rather than social interaction.

This unprecedented ban on under-16s also applies to platforms like YouTube, Reddit, Kick, Threads, and X.

Platforms face hefty fines of up to $49.5 million (US$32 million, £25 million) if they fail to comply with the restrictions on underage usage.

Although some enforcement strategies remain under discussion, possibilities include using government IDs, biometric recognition, and advanced age estimation through user behavior analytics.

Earlier this week, Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, announced it would start closing accounts held by teenagers under 16 from December 4, one week before the official implementation of the ban.