Australia to include Twitch in teen social media ban

The eSafety Commissioner said Twitch qualifies as a social media service because it is primarily used for livestreaming and posting interactive content that allows users – including children – to communicate with others

Australia’s internet watchdog on Friday said it would include Amazon.com-owned live streaming service Twitch in its upcoming teen social media ban, but will not add image-sharing platform Pinterest to the list.

From December 10, Australia will become the world’s first country to bar people aged 16 years and under from using social media, with penalties up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply.

The eSafety Commissioner said Twitch qualifies as a social media service because it is primarily used for livestreaming and posting interactive content that allows users – including children – to communicate with others.

Twitch, founded in 2007 and acquired by Amazon for US$970 million in 2014, currently reports more than 105 million average monthly users globally, including an estimated 4.1 million Australians.

Twitch plans to deactivate all user accounts for people aged 16 and under from January 9, and will bar new under-age users from creating accounts once the ban comes into force next month.

Twitch said it already requires users globally to be at least 13, with minors “required to be under the supervision of a parent or guardian.”

Pinterest, however, will not be added to the list. The eSafety Commissioner said that while it allows some online social interaction, that is not its main purpose, noting that it is used for collecting images and curating ideas.

Earlier this month, the commissioner expanded the ban to add Reddit and video live streaming platform Kick. Major firms already covered include Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube.

No further assessments will be conducted before the rules take effect on December 10, the commissioner said.