Reddit, along with live-streaming platform Kick, has been added to Australia's groundbreaking social media ban for children under 16, set to take effect next month. This decision brings the total number of targeted sites to nine, including Facebook, X, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads. From December 10th, tech companies face hefty fines of up to A$50 million if they fail to deactivate accounts for under-16s and prevent new sign-ups. The government emphasizes that these platforms are banned due to their primary purpose of enabling online social interaction. Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, advocates for delayed social media access, citing the need to protect children from harmful and deceptive design elements. The ban excludes messaging services like Discord and WhatsApp, as well as gaming platforms Lego Play and Roblox, and educational tools like Google Classroom and YouTube Kids. Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells highlights the 'chilling control' these platforms can exert over children, emphasizing the ban's protective nature. While the implementation methods remain unclear, potential strategies include using official ID documents, parental approval, and facial recognition technology. Critics, however, raise concerns about data privacy and the reliability of age verification software. Despite some controversy, polls indicate that most Australian adults support the ban. Yet, mental health advocates warn against potential negative impacts, suggesting that the government should focus on content moderation and educating children about online risks. An Australian influencer family, with millions of YouTube followers, has even decided to relocate to the UK to avoid the ban, prioritizing their 14-year-old's content creation. Initially, YouTube was exempt, but the government reversed this decision in July, citing it as the platform where children aged 10 to 15 most frequently encountered harmful content. While teens under 16 will still be able to view YouTube videos, they will not be allowed to create accounts, raising questions about the effectiveness of such restrictions.
