Australia is expanding its social media ban for kids to include two more popular platforms. In a new update to the legislation that will ban those under 16 in Australia from certain platforms, both Kick and Reddit have been added to the list.
The list also includes TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, and YouTube.
According to the eSafety Commission, both Reddit and Kick meet the criteria. They say that the sites’ “sole or significant purpose is to enable online social interaction.”
Anika Wells, Australia’s communications minister, said that the commission isn’t “chasing perfection”. Instead, they are “chasing a meaningful difference.”
What Does The Australian Social Media Ban Mean?
As mentioned, the upcoming social media ban in Australia is targeted at keeping children aged 16 and under off platforms that could have a negative impact on their health. Starting December 10, platforms that fail to comply with the new law can face fines up to $49.5 million.
Meta, Snap, and TikTok have already confirmed they will block young teens from their services when the ban goes into effect. They are all looking for ways for users to back up or simply suspend their accounts before they are locked.
What hasn’t been added to the ban are platforms such as Kick’s main competition, Twitch, along with others like PlayStation Network, Roblox, Xbox, Fortnite, and Steam. According to the eSafety Commission, those excluded include those that offer the primary purpose of playing online games, messaging and voice calling, sharing information about products and services, and more.
What do you think of Kick and Reddit being added to the social media ban for those under 16 in Australia? Leave your thoughts down in the comments, and join the official Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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