Ubiquitous forum site Reddit and Australian video streaming platform Kick have been added to the list of banned services under Australia’s landmark incoming under-16 social media ban.
Hugely popular gaming platform Roblox, which has been accused here and in the US of allowing sexual predators to victimise children, has been granted a reprieve, along with chat apps Messenger, WhatsApp and Discord, coding repository GitHun, YouTube Kids and some other services.
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube had already been classed as an “age-restricted social media platform” before the latest update issued last night.
Massive forum site Reddit and Australian video streaming platform Kick have been added to the list of banned services under landmark new under-16 social media ban. (9News)
The new list came with a warning that online platforms in general would be responsible for constantly self-assessing whether they meet the criteria, particularly whether their “sole or a significant purpose is to enable online social interaction”.
Starting on December 10, platforms will be subject to fines of up to $49.5 million under the global-first restrictions if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to stop under-16s accessing their products.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said delaying access to social media gave children time to learn and grow “free of the powerful, unseen forces of harmful and deceptive design features such as opaque algorithms and endless scroll”.
“But I’ve also said consistently that age restricting social media is one important tool in our holistic approach to online safety,” she said.
“Ultimately, all online platforms should be building less harmful, age-appropriate experiences through safety by design.
“Where they are not, we will apply the Online Safety Act’s mandatory codes and standards and supplement with robust prevention and education resources for Australians.”
The eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant during a press conference where they released new guidance to provide clear directions for platforms as part of the Australian Governments world-leading under-16 social media laws. Sydney, NSW. September 16, 2025. (Kate Geraghty)
The full list of platforms eSafety has informed don’t meet the social media definition is Discord, GitHub, LEGO Play, Roblox, Steam and Steam Chat, Google Classroom, Messenger, WhatsApp and YouTube Kids.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a lawsuit in August alleging Roblox had failed to implement effective safety measures to protect child users from adult predators, claiming they “thrive, unite, hunt and victimise kids” on the platform.
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube had already been classed as an “age-restricted social media platform” before the latest update issued last night. (9News)
Critics of the law have pointed to concerns children will be able to quickly get around the ban by spoofing their location with a virtual private network (VPN) or tricking whatever age-gating systems the platforms implement.
Wells on Thursday said it was about showing parents “we have your back”, describing the ban as a treatment plan rather than a cure.
“Kids are going to be kids, they’re going to try and get around this, it won’t be perfect, but it is going to make a meaningful difference and that’s really important,” she told Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie on Nova radio.
“Like you say, it’s the first step. It will make a huge cultural change in this country.
Communications Minister Anika Wells. (Getty)
“And I think someone very wise who I saw on the floor of the UN said, this will not just change a law, it will change a generation.”
Cardiff Metropolitan University senior lecturer in computing and information said Australia could learn from the UK’s recent implementation of compulsory age verification for some website that there “will be ways to circumnavigate it”.
“I think the thing to know is that people will get around it, and you’ve got to have robust controls otherwise, you know, it’s not as effective as it could be,” he told 9news.com.au.
“And they’re right, you know, they’re right to do this because of the harm that social media lands on young people.”
Inman Grant said the transition would be “significant, especially for some young people” and urged parents, teachers and young people to visit the online hub at esafety.gov.au for more information.
