• Australia will enforce a social media ban for children under 16 starting December 10.
• Reddit and Kick join platforms like Facebook and Instagram under the ban.
• Companies face fines up to A$50 million if they fail to remove underage users.
• The legislation aims to protect children from online risks posed by social media.
• Concerns raised about the effectiveness and enforcement of the ban.

Australia has announced that starting on December 10, popular platforms such as Reddit and streaming service Kick will be included in a pioneering restriction aimed at preventing children under 16 from using social media. The initiative targets a total of nine platforms, following concerns over children’s safety online, and includes well-known names like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube, according to BBC, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.

Under this new legislation, social media companies could face significant penalties, reaching up to A$49.5 million (approximately US$32 million), should they fail to adequately restrict access to users under the age of 16. Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized the need for online platforms to utilize existing technology to safeguard children’s online experiences effectively, stating, "We want children to have a childhood, and we want parents to have peace of mind," according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

Despite the intentions behind the ban, experts remain skeptical, expressing concerns that the legislation may be more symbolic than effective. Notably, while the ban encompasses several major platforms, popular services like Roblox, Discord, and WhatsApp will not be included, a decision which may draw criticism regarding comprehensive safety measures. Additionally, age verification methods remain a contentious issue, as the ban does not obligate companies to confirm the ages of all users, merely requiring "reasonable steps" to deactivate accounts for underage users, as reported by BBC and Al Jazeera.

Australia's move is being monitored closely by global officials as they grapple with similar challenges posed by social media in their respective countries. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, pointed out that while age restrictions are one potential solution to mitigate social media harm, the absence of quick fixes necessitates ongoing evaluation of the policy's impacts on children's well-being and development, which could serve as a learning opportunity for other nations, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.