Australia Expands Social Media Ban for Teens to Include Twitch

Fri Nov 21 2025 09:05:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a move to enhance child safety online, Australia has added Twitch to its list of social media platforms banned for users under 16. The regulation, effective from December, is part of a broader initiative to protect children from potential online risks.

On November 21, 2025, Australia announced that Twitch, the popular streaming platform, will be included in the social media ban for users under 16 years old, effective December 10. This ban also applies to other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Australia's eSafety Commissioner cited the risk associated with online social interactions as a key reason for the inclusion of Twitch in the ban. Accordingly, underage users will be unable to create new accounts starting next month, with existing accounts being deactivated from January 9, 2026. The government aims to mitigate the risks and pressures children face online, with measures in place for enforcement against non-compliant 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 accounts are closed from December 10.

Australia's internet regulator overseeing the ban stated that Twitch, owned by Amazon, was included due to its primary function of ‘online social interaction,’ where users engage in chats about posted content.

A Twitch spokesperson confirmed that Australians under 16 will not be able to open a Twitch account starting December 10, and existing under-16 accounts will be deactivated from January 9, 2026.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant highlighted that Twitch is used mainly for live streaming and interaction among users regarding the content posted, which raised concerns around child safety.

No additional platforms are expected to be added to the ban before it takes effect next month. The government aims to reduce the pressures and risks children can face online.

Established in 2007, Twitch allows users to livestream, primarily focusing on video gaming while interacting with audiences. Last year, it began plans to share more revenue with creators, empowering streamers to monetize through subscriptions.

Generally, Twitch prohibits users under 13, and those aged between 13 and the legal age must obtain parental consent to create accounts.

Furthermore, eSafety Commissioner Inman Grant clarified that Pinterest was exempted from the ban due to its distinct purpose focused on idea curation rather than social interactions.

Other platforms covered by the ban include YouTube, Reddit, Kick, Threads, and X (formerly Twitter). The new regulations obligate tech companies to implement measures preventing under-16s from utilizing their platforms, with severe penalties for non-compliance.

While enforcement methods for the ban remain uncertain, possibilities include government ID checks, biometric recognition, and age inference based on online behavior.