Another one bites the dust!
The Australian social media ban for children under the age of 16 is gathering more sites to be blocked. Initially it was announced that social media platforms including SnapChat, TikTok, YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram and Threads will all be age restricted from December 10th. However, it was announced today by the Communications Ministers, Anika Wells, that both Kick and Reddit will be joining the ban.
The platforms were included due to their “sole or significant purpose is to enable online social interaction” (Anika Wells). The Communications Minister also included that they’ve spoken directly with the social platforms in the past month so there was no misunderstanding and “no excuse for failure” when the ban is implemented on December 10th.
“eSafety has assessed eight platforms as requiring age-restriction but their assessments will be ongoing and this list is dynamic,… We aren’t chasing perfection, we are chasing a meaningful difference”
When the ban is implemented on the 10th of December any of the named social media platforms that fails to assist in the banning of Australians under the age of 16 will face fines up to $49.5 million. Many platforms and tech Goliaths have made the argument that the information has been released with such short notice that it’s going to affect the implementation of the new restrictions on time. TikTok, Meta, and SnapChat have all confirmed they will meet requirements when the new laws are implemented.
