Australia Expands Social Media Ban, Now Includes Twitch for Teens

Sat Nov 22 2025 06:36:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Australian government has included the popular streaming platform Twitch in its upcoming social media ban aimed at users under 16, beginning December 10. This decision aligns with the government's ongoing effort to mitigate the risks associated with social media interactions among minors.

Twitch, a leading platform for live streaming and gaming, has been added to Australia's list of social media platforms banned for users under the age of 16. Effective December 10, new accounts for teens will be prohibited, and existing accounts will be deactivated by January 9. This initiative aims to enhance child safety online by limiting exposure to harmful content across various platforms.

Twitch, a streaming platform popular with gamers, has been added to Australia's teen social media ban which starts next month.

It joins other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat that must ensure under-16s cannot open accounts and existing ones are closed from December 10.

Australia's internet regulator overseeing the ban stated that Twitch, owned by Amazon, focuses on online social interaction where users engage in discussions about posted content.

A Twitch spokesperson confirmed that Australians under 16 will not be able to open a Twitch account after December 10, and existing accounts for this age group will be deactivated starting January 9.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant elaborated that Twitch is commonly used for live streaming and content sharing, making it a platform where Australian children could interact about their posts.

As of now, no additional platforms are expected to be included in the ban before its start date. The government aims to reduce the pressures and risks children face on social media related to harmful content.

Founded in 2007, Twitch is widely recognized for its live streaming services, particularly in video gaming. Last year, the platform announced changes to share more revenue with creators, fostering a pathway for streamers to monetize through subscriptions.

Throughout its policy, Twitch prohibits those under 13 from using the platform. Users between 13 and the legal age of adulthood can join with parental consent.

Additionally, in the latest structure of the under-16 social media ban, YouTube, Reddit, Kick, Threads, and X are also included, compelling tech companies to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from using their services, risking fines up to $49.5 million.

While approaches like government IDs, face or voice recognition, and age inference are being discussed to enforce this ban effectively, it's yet to be clarified how these measures will be implemented.

Earlier this week, Meta (parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads) stated that it would begin closing accounts of users under 16 starting December 4, a week prior to the official enforcement of the ban.

Ms. Inman Grant indicated that Pinterest would not fall under the same restrictions due to its primary function being idea curation rather than social interaction.