Reddit, along with live-streaming platform Kick, has been added to Australia's upcoming social media ban for children under 16, which is set to take effect next month. This brings the total number of targeted sites to nine, including Facebook, X, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads. Tech companies face fines of up to A$50 million if they fail to deactivate existing accounts for under-16s and prohibit new ones. The government emphasizes that these platforms are banned due to their primary purpose of enabling online social interaction. Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, advocates for delaying children's access to social media, citing the need to protect them from harmful and deceptive design features. However, some platforms like Discord, WhatsApp, Lego Play, Roblox, Google Classroom, and YouTube Kids are exempt from the ban. Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells highlights the potential of these platforms to target children with 'chilling control', emphasizing the ban's focus on child protection. The implementation methods, such as using official ID documents, parental approval, and facial recognition technology, are still under discussion, with critics raising concerns about data privacy and age verification software accuracy. Public opinion is divided, with most Australian adults supporting the ban, but some mental health advocates and others argue that it may cut kids off from social connections or push them to less regulated online environments. An Australian influencer family, with millions of YouTube followers, has decided to relocate to the UK to avoid the ban, ensuring their 14-year-old daughter can continue creating online content. Initially, YouTube was exempt, but the government reversed its decision in July, citing the platform's role in exposing children to harmful content. Despite the ban, teens under 16 will still be able to view YouTube videos but cannot create accounts.
