Australia Bans Reddit for Children Under 16

Australia has officially banned Reddit and several other major social media platforms for children under 16, introducing strict penalties for companies that fail to comply with new safety regulations.

Australia’s Bold Move to Protect Children Online

Australia has taken a decisive step in its campaign to safeguard children from online harm by banning Reddit for users under the age of 16. The popular online forum joins a growing list of social media platforms that are now off-limits to minors, as the government intensifies efforts to regulate young people’s exposure to potentially harmful online content.

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner confirmed that Reddit and the live-streaming service Kick have been added to the restricted list, bringing the total number of banned platforms to nine. Others include Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

Enforcement and Penalties Under the New Regulation

Under the new rules, which come into effect on December 10, technology companies face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars if they fail to deactivate accounts belonging to underage users or prevent children from creating new ones.

“Banning children’s access to social media will give them the time to learn and grow, free from the forces that harm them,” said Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s Commissioner for Electronic Safety. She emphasized that the policy is not about restricting technology, but about giving young people “room to develop in safer, more controlled digital environments.”

What Platforms Are Exempt from the Ban?

While Reddit and several major social platforms are now restricted, messaging apps and educational tools are exempt. Services such as Discord, WhatsApp, Roblox, Lego Play, Google Classroom, and YouTube Kids will remain accessible to younger audiences, as they are considered to offer more contained or moderated environments.

However, critics have raised concerns over how companies will enforce age verification, as most social platforms rely on self-declared ages. Proposed methods include official ID checks, parental consent systems, or even facial recognition technology, though these approaches raise questions about user privacy and data protection.

A Policy with Global Implications

Australia’s ban on Reddit and other platforms for under-16s is being closely monitored by international regulators. Many Western nations have struggled to balance digital freedom with online safety, particularly amid growing evidence linking excessive social media use to mental health issues in children.

The move positions Australia as a global leader in online child protection, potentially setting a precedent for similar measures in Europe and North America. As policymakers worldwide debate how best to protect younger users, Australia’s firm stance signals that the era of unrestricted social media access for children may soon be coming to an end.