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Australia’s groundbreaking initiative to ban social media for children is widening its net,

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Australia adds Twitch to its landmark social media ban for children under 16. The new law covers TikTok, X, and Reddit, while Pinterest remains exempt.
Australia’s groundbreaking initiative to ban social media for children is widening its net, with livestreaming giant Twitch now added to the restricted list for users under 16. This first-of-its-kind nationwide prohibition already encompasses major platforms including Facebook, X, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and most recently, Reddit.
Speaking to the BBC, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant explained the inclusion, noting that Twitch is “a platform most commonly used for livestreaming or posting content that enables users, including Australian children, to interact with others in relation to the content posted.”
With the law scheduled to go into effect next month, no further platforms are expected to be added to the list. On Friday, Grant clarified that Pinterest would remain accessible, as the service’s core purpose focuses on visual discovery rather than online social interaction.
Under the new regulations, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent underage access or face significant financial penalties . While determined users might find workarounds such as VPNs , the legislation establishes a formidable barrier to entry for the under-16 demographic .
Australia is not alone in this legislative push. Earlier this month, Denmark announced a bipartisan agreement to enact a similar ban for users under 15, though specific details remain sparse. In the United States , however, progress has been slower; attempts in states like Texas and Florida have either failed or are tied up in litigation . Even less restrictive measures, such as Utah’s law requiring parental permission for teen accounts, are facing stiff opposition based on First Amendment grounds .
These legislative movements underscore a shift in the cultural zeitgeist, as concern deepens regarding the potential negative impact these platforms have on their youngest users .
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