• WhatsApp, Twitch, and Reddit may be added to Australia’s under-16s social media ban.
• The ban includes existing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
• Regulatory details on enforcement remain vague and controversial.
• eSafety Commissioner has called for companies to self-assess their compliance.
• Fines for non-compliance could reach up to A$49.5 million.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, announced that tech companies including WhatsApp, Twitch, and Reddit are among those potentially subjected to a new ban on social media access for users under 16. The country already includes platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube in the ban, marking a world-first initiative aimed at protecting children online. Inman Grant wrote to 16 additional companies to assess their platforms' compliance with the ban's criteria, according to Channel News Asia, The Jakarta Post, and Dawn.

The proposed regulations encompass additional sites such as Pinterest, Lego Play, Kick, and Steam. Companies wishing to avoid inclusion in the ban must make a case for exemption. Inman Grant emphasized the need for due diligence in reviewing these self-assessments while acknowledging that some cases might be straightforward, according to Channel News Asia and The Jakarta Post.

Despite Australia's proactive stance on protecting children in digital spaces, there are significant concerns regarding the enforcement of the ban. Experts have criticized the legislation as “vague” and “problematic,” citing an unclear framework for age verification. Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged that companies must engage in self-regulation to ensure compliance with the upcoming rules, as detailed in reports from Channel News Asia and Dawn.

The potential financial implications for non-compliance are substantial, with fines reaching up to A$49.5 million (approximately US$32.6 million). An independent study commissioned by the Australian government has noted that age verification can be executed efficiently, but it also recognized that no universal solution would suffice in all situations. In a recent development, Roblox has agreed to implement measures to mitigate risks associated with adult users potentially grooming children on its platform, highlighting ongoing concerns over safety in digital environments, according to The Jakarta Post and Dawn.