Twitch faces huge trouble as Australia puts all under 16 users under a full social media ban for online safety (Image via Getty)
Australia is making a big change to protect kids online, and now Twitch is part of that plan. The government has decided that children under 16 will not be allowed to use Twitch anywhere in the country. This rule will start on December 10, 2025, and Twitch will stop new under-16 accounts from that date. Old accounts that belong to under-16 users will also be removed later. Australia already added Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Snapchat, Facebook and Threads to this list earlier, and now Twitch is being added too.The rule comes from a plan first shared by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2024. He said age checks are needed to keep kids safe on the internet. Officials said Twitch works like a social media site because it has live chat and people talk and share things in real time. The government also said platforms that do not follow the rule may face very big fines.
Australia adds Twitch to the under-16 ban as rules tighten for online safety
Australia says this ban is needed because many kids spend too much time online and may see unsafe things. The government wants stronger age checks so children under 16 cannot make accounts. Authorities said Twitch fits the meaning of a social platform because users talk, chat, stream, and also interact with strangers. This is why Twitch will now follow the same rules as other big apps.Twitch will block new accounts for kids under 16 starting December 10, 2025, and the old accounts of kids will be removed later to meet the rules. Other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Threads and Facebook already got the same notice earlier this year.The Australian government said any platform that does not take steps to stop under-16 users may face fines of up to 50 million dollars. This shows how serious the country is about keeping kids safe online.Officials said more platforms may be added soon, as they are still checking how young users interact on different sites. They want companies to take full responsibility and make sure children do not enter unsafe spaces. This rule also makes it clear what counts as a social media site today, even when apps are used for gaming or watching live streams.The ban is part of a bigger plan to make sure all online spaces are safe for children. It also shows that Australia wants strong control over how young users use the internet and how companies protect them.Also Read: Candace Owens Raises Heat While Claiming Erika Kirk Is On Autopilot And Holds No Verifiable Lies After Charlie Kirk Was Killed
