Starting December 10, 14-year-olds in Australia will find themselves unable to post on the subreddit r/Im14andthisisdeep, along with any other subreddit. This significant change comes as Reddit joins the growing list of age-restricted social media platforms within the country.
Additionally, the livestreaming platform Kick will face similar restrictions, making a wide array of social media unavailable to young Australians starting next month. This move is part of a larger regulatory effort aimed at safeguarding children from harmful online content.
For many in the United States, this type of regulation may seem unusual. Australia has implemented measures through the eSafety Commissioner, an agency that operates with some parallels to the FCC and FTC but with a special focus on digital platforms. The Commissioner, whose powers were expanded in 2022, arose from widespread outrage over incidents such as the Facebook livestream of the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, which led to content being shared across multiple platforms, including Reddit and others.
Approximately a year ago, a preliminary list of banned social media platforms for those under 16 was generated following an investigation by the eSafety Commissioner. This list includes popular platforms such as TikTok, X, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, and now Reddit and Kick. Other sites like Roblox, OpenAI’s Sora, Discord, Steam, and Twitch are also being monitored and may soon face similar restrictions according to recent reports.
Interestingly, the Australian government isn’t developing the technology to enforce this age restriction. During a recent press conference, eSafety Commissioner Inman Grant stated that platforms must create systems to prevent account access to users below the designated age. If they fail to comply, they could face fines up to approximately €28 million (49.5 million Australian dollars). The government has published guidelines for self-assessment and expects companies to pro-actively decide how to prevent children and teens from registering without intervention.
As Grant succinctly put it, “the burden goes back onto the platforms themselves.”
What does this mean for Australian youth and their options online? It signals a significant shift in how social media is accessed, particularly among younger demographics.
How will children adapt to these social media bans? This new landscape may push younger users to alternative platforms that remain accessible, which could shape trends in online engagement among teens.
Will these restrictions help protect children from harmful content? Proponents argue that such measures are essential for the safety of younger users, while critics contend they may limit self-expression and exploration.
What implications do these changes have for platform owners? It’s likely that companies will need to invest in age-verification technology and compliance measures, impacting their operational priorities and financial investments.
Overall, these regulations reflect an evolving approach to internet safety and the responsibility of platforms in protecting their users. If you want to learn more about how online environments adapt to legislative changes like these, continue exploring at Moyens I/O.