Australia has added Reddit to its growing list of social media platforms banned for children under 16, starting next month.
The move expands the government’s world-first restrictions, which now target nine major sites including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, Snapchat, YouTube, Threads, and live-streaming app Kick. The ban takes effect on 10 December.
Tech companies could face fines of up to A$50 million (£25.7 million) if they fail to take reasonable steps to block or deactivate accounts belonging to minors. Officials say the aim is to delay children’s exposure to “harmful design features” such as addictive algorithms and endless scrolling.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the policy would give young people time to “learn and grow” before entering online spaces shaped by powerful digital forces.
Messaging apps like Discord and WhatsApp, along with gaming sites such as Roblox and Lego Play, remain exempt. Educational platforms including Google Classroom and YouTube Kids are also not affected.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the ban targets companies that use “chilling control” to influence young users, stressing the goal is “a meaningful difference, not perfection”.
However, questions remain about how platforms will verify users’ ages. Possible methods include ID checks, parental consent, or facial recognition — all criticised by privacy advocates as intrusive or unreliable.
Polls suggest most Australians support the move, yet some mental health experts warn it could isolate teenagers or drive them to unsafe online spaces.
Globally, governments are closely watching whether Australia’s bold experiment will work — or simply push the problem elsewhere.
