Australia will include Reddit and the live-streaming platform Kick in its social media ban for children under the age of 16, officials have decided after having previously considered the platforms for inclusion.
The move adds two widely used services to a list of online platforms that will be restricted to users aged 16 and over under the country's existing policy framework. Reddit is a social news aggregation and discussion website where users post and comment on a wide range of topics; Kick is a live-streaming service known for real-time broadcasts and interactive chat. Both were earlier subject to review and have now been slated for formal inclusion in the ban.
The ban, aimed at limiting access to social media by younger adolescents, applies across platforms deemed to fall within the scope of the measure. Inclusion typically requires platforms to adopt measures to prevent underage access in the jurisdiction, a process that can involve technical, policy and compliance work by the services affected. The decision to add Reddit and Kick reflects a continuation of the effort to extend the restrictions to a broader set of online services beyond those already identified.
The expansion follows a period of assessment during which authorities considered whether each platform met criteria for inclusion. That assessment stage previously flagged Reddit and Kick for consideration; the latest step moves them from review into the category of services subject to age-based restrictions. How the platforms will operationalize compliance in Australia has not been specified in the available information, nor have timelines for implementation or the precise mechanisms for enforcement been disclosed.
For users and parents in Australia, the inclusion of Reddit and Kick is likely to change how younger teenagers can access and use those services. Platforms typically respond to such regulatory requirements by updating age-gating, verification and account creation procedures, and by setting terms of service that reflect local legal obligations. The technical and privacy implications of age verification can be complex, and platforms often face pressure to balance regulatory compliance with user experience and data protection considerations.
The decision is also noteworthy for platform operators and the broader tech sector, which must monitor evolving age-restriction rules in different countries. Adding live-streaming services such as Kick alongside discussion forums like Reddit underscores regulators’ focus on a range of interactive and user-generated platforms where minors may encounter content or interactions deemed unsuitable for their age group.
At this stage, further details on how Reddit and Kick will implement the restrictions in Australia, when the changes will take effect, and how compliance will be monitored have not been released. Observers will be watching for announcements from the platforms and from Australian authorities clarifying next steps, enforcement processes and any guidance for parents and educators dealing with the transition.