Archive · 21 Nov 2025
Australia Expands Teen Social Media Ban to Include Twitch
Australia is adding Twitch, a live streaming service, to its list of social media platforms that can't be used by kids under 16.
Twitch will stop under-16s from using its service from January.
Pinterest won't be included in the ban because it's not mainly used for socializing.
Other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are already covered by the ban.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner adds Twitch to its teen social media ban
Ban starts Dec 10, with penalties up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance
Twitch to deactivate under-16 accounts from Jan 9, bar new underage users
Pinterest excluded from the ban as it's not primarily a social media platform
Other covered platforms include Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Reddit
- Who
- Twitch users under 16 in Australia
- What
- Ban from using Twitch
- When
- Starting Dec 10, full enforcement by Jan 9
- Where
- Australia
- Why
- To protect minors from online harms
Protecting Minors
Access to Online Platforms
Age restrictions
Protecting Minors
Protects minors from online harms
Access to Online Platforms
Limits young people's online expression and interaction
- Penalties for non-compliance
- Up to A$49.5 million (approx. $32.09 million/Rs 283.85 Crore)
- Twitch's response
- Deactivate under-16 accounts from Jan 9, bar new underage users
Sources
Meta to block under 16 Facebook and Instagram accounts in Australia from Dec 10
Australia adds Amazon’s Twitch to teen social media ban, spares Pinterest
Australia Adds Amazon's Twitch to Teen Social Media Ban, Spares Pinterest
Meta Alerts Young Australians To Download Their Data Before Social Media Ban
