AU Under-16 Twitch Ban: New Digital Age Rules Unveiled

In a landmark move poised to reshape Australia's digital landscape for youth, the nation's online safety regulator, eSafety, has officially included Twitch in a sweeping ban preventing users under the age of 16 from holding accounts. This decisive action, part of a broader push to safeguard minors online, sends a clear message to major platforms: robust age verification is no longer optional, carrying potential fines of up to AUD 49.5 million ($32 million / £25 million) for non-compliance.

The Mandate: What You Need to Know

Beginning December 10, 2025, a roster of ten prominent platforms will be legally obligated to implement "reasonable steps" to ensure individuals under 16 cannot maintain active accounts. This critical list includes Twitch, Kick, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, and TikTok. While the crackdown targets account creation and maintenance, it's crucial to note that users will still retain the ability to access content on these platforms that does not necessitate an account.

A Twitch spokesperson has confirmed the direct impact on existing users: all under-16 accounts held by Australians will face deactivation by January 9, 2026. Globally, Twitch's policy permits users aged 13 and above, but those below the legal age of adulthood in their respective regions are required to have parental or guardian consent.

Why Twitch? eSafety's Stance on Interactive Livestreaming

eSafety's assessment explicitly categorizes Twitch as an "age-restricted social media platform." The regulator's reasoning hinges on Twitch's "sole or significant purpose of online social interaction with features designed to encourage user interaction, including through livestreaming content." A press release from eSafety underscored this, stating, "Twitch is a platform most commonly used for livestreaming or posting content that enables users, including Australian children, to interact with others in relation to the content posted."

Interestingly, eSafety clarified that Pinterest, despite its visual nature, does not meet the "significant purpose of interaction" criteria and is, for the time being, exempt from these new age restrictions. While eSafety has provided platform assessments to guide industry compliance, the final legal determinations on age-restricted status will ultimately rest with Australian courts.

Implications for Under-16 Accounts and Verification Standards

The Australian regulator expects all online platforms operating within its borders to understand and fully comply with these new legal obligations, offering a self-assessment tool to aid the process. Beyond the blanket ban, eSafety is pushing for more stringent age verification methods. This could include requirements for government IDs, advanced facial or voice recognition technologies, or sophisticated age inference systems based on online activity patterns. While the intent is to mitigate risks like harmful content, cyberbullying, and addictive behaviors, critics suggest a rigid ban might inadvertently drive younger users to less visible, unmonitored online spaces, placing a heavy burden on tech companies rather than fostering broader digital literacy and parental guidance.

A Global Shift: Australia Leads in Youth Online Protection

Australia's proactive stance is part of a growing international trend to regulate youth access to social media. Denmark, for instance, has proposed a ban for children under 15, with limited exceptions for 13 and 14-year-olds with parental approval, though this measure is not yet in force. In 2023, France enacted a law establishing a "digital age of majority" at 15, mandating platforms to verify ages and obtain parental consent for younger users.

Across the Atlantic, Members of the European Parliament recently proposed an EU-wide ban on social media for children under 16, emphasizing stricter age verification and platform accountability, with a hearing scheduled later this month. In the United States, eight states have already passed laws restricting social media use for minors under 18 (typically requiring parental guidance), although these face ongoing First Amendment legal challenges.

Australia's comprehensive regulatory approach stands out. Its long-term success, however, will hinge on a delicate balance: robust enforcement coupled with enhanced digital literacy programs and strengthened support for families, rather than solely relying on access restrictions.