Australia Adds Twitch to Teen Social Media Ban, Excludes Pinterest
Australia’s online safety regulator announced on Friday that Amazon-owned live streaming platform Twitch will be included in the country’s upcoming ban on social media use for people aged 16 and under. However, image-sharing site Pinterest will not be added to the list.
First Country to Enforce Nationwide Teen Social Media Ban
Starting on 10 December, Australia will become the first country in the world to prohibit children aged 16 and below from using social media platforms. Companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply with the ban could face penalties of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). The move follows growing concerns about the impact of social media on young users’ mental health and safety.
Twitch to Deactivate Underage Accounts
The eSafety Commissioner said Twitch qualifies as a social media service because it allows users, including minors, to livestream and interact with others in real time. The platform plans to deactivate all existing accounts belonging to users aged 16 and under by 9 January. It will also prevent new underage users from creating accounts once the rules take effect in December.
Pinterest Excluded from the Ban
Pinterest will not be included in the ban, as the regulator determined its main function is image collection and idea curation, rather than direct social interaction. While users can comment and share content, the platform’s primary purpose does not meet the definition of a social media service under the new regulations.
Wider Enforcement Across Major Platforms
Earlier this month, the commissioner extended the list of restricted platforms to include Reddit and live streaming site Kick. Other major platforms already covered by the new law include Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube. The regulator confirmed that no further assessments will be made before the new rules come into force on 10 December.
with inputs from Reuters
