Australia Expands Social Media Ban to Include Reddit for Under-16s

Thu Nov 06 2025 03:04:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Australia's government has introduced a groundbreaking social media ban for children under 16, now including Reddit among other major platforms.

Starting December 10, Reddit will be part of Australia's significant new social media restrictions aimed at children under 16. This ban, which currently includes nine platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, is designed to protect children from harmful online interactions. The government advises tech companies risk hefty fines if they fail to comply. Critics voice concerns about privacy and effectiveness, while supporters believe this move is crucial for safeguarding young users.

In a significant step towards protecting children online, Australia has added Reddit to its existing social media ban that targets users under the age of 16. This policy, which is set to take effect on December 10, 2025, encompasses numerous platforms including popular sites like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads, totaling nine affected sites.

The new legislation mandates that social media companies must take 'reasonable steps' to deactivate existing accounts belonging to minors and prevent new one from being created, or face fines up to A$50 million ($32.5 million) for non-compliance.

According to Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, the intent behind this legislation is to provide children with essential time away from the influences of social media, allowing them to grow and learn free from the pressures of harmful design features --- such as endless scrolling and problematic algorithms.

While government officials highlight the importance of this initiative, critics are raising flags over potential risks associated with age verification technologies, including data privacy concerns. New verification methods to enforce this ban could involve official ID checks, parental consent, or even facial recognition software, all of which may introduce their own challenges.

Some adults support the ban, believing it can safeguard young mental health by reducing exposure to harmful content. However, some mental health advocates argue that the ban may alienate children, pushing them towards less regulated areas of the internet. They suggest that a more effective strategy would be to focus on better monitoring harmful content on these platforms.

A noteworthy anecdote has emerged of an Australian influencer family who intends to relocate to the UK to allow their underage daughter to continue her online content creation without the restrictions imposed by Australia’s upcoming regulations.

This move by Australia to impose such a ban is being observed closely by global governments, with implications set to inspire similar discussions worldwide regarding child safety on social media.