Australia To Ban Twitch For Under-16s As New Social Media Rules Expand

Sydney, Nov 21, 2025 — Australia is set to block users aged 16 and under from accessing Amazon-owned Twitch, broadening the reach of its stringent online safety regulations. The ban takes effect on December 10, under new rules that require social platforms to prevent younger teens from using services deemed vulnerable to harmful interactions or face penalties as high as A$49.5 million.

Authorities say Twitch qualifies as a social media service because its live-streaming model enables real-time interaction between creators and viewers, a feature regulators believe increases exposure risks for minors. As part of its compliance plan, Twitch will begin disabling accounts held by users under 16 starting January 9, 2026, and will block new signups from that age group once enforcement begins.

In contrast, Pinterest has been exempted. Officials argue that the platform’s core function as a visual discovery and idea-curation tool does not fall within the definition of high-risk social engagement outlined in the new rules. While Pinterest allows some communication features, regulators say they are limited and not central to the user experience.

Twitch now joins a long list of major platforms already affected by the legislation, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and X. Officials confirmed that no further platform assessments are planned before the December rollout, signalling that the government’s review phase is essentially complete.

The expansion of the policy underscores Australia’s determination to protect younger teens from unfiltered digital spaces. By including a live-streaming service, the government is making clear that risk is associated not just with text-based social networks but any platform built around real-time public interaction. The substantial fines attached to non-compliance reinforce the seriousness of the mandate and place additional pressure on global tech companies to strengthen their age-verification systems.

The exemption granted to Pinterest suggests a more nuanced approach than a blanket ban, with regulators distinguishing between platforms based on function rather than popularity. As international debate over youth social media exposure continues to grow, Australia’s move could influence how other countries design future online safety frameworks.