Streaming platform Twitch added to Australia’s teen social media ban

Twitch, the streaming platform popular among gamers, has been added to Australia’s teen social media ban starting next month.

It joins other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and Snapchat, which must ensure that people under 16 cannot open accounts and existing accounts are closed from December 10.

Australia’s internet regulator, which oversees the ban, said Amazon-owned Twitch was included because its main purpose was “online social interaction” where users were encouraged to chat with each other about posted content.

A Twitch spokesperson said Australians under the age of 16 will not be able to create a Twitch account from December 10, and existing accounts under the age of 16 will be deactivated from January 9.

On why Twitch was included, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said it was “one of the most commonly used platforms for livestreaming or posting content that enables users, including Australian children, to interact with others in relation to the posted content”.

Ms Inman Grant said no more platforms were expected to be added to the ban before the start date next month.

The government has previously said the ban aims to reduce the “pressures and risks” children face on social media, including harmful content.

Founded in 2007, Twitch is a popular livestreaming platform where people usually play video games while chatting with the audience.

Last year, it introduced a plan to share more of its revenue with creators as part of a shake-up, allowing streamers to make money through fans subscribing to their channels.

The revenue is divided equally between Twitch and the creator after the fees are paid.

Twitch’s policy prohibits anyone under the age of 13 from using its platform and users under the age of 13 and the legal age of majority in their country may join if they have permission from their parent or guardian.

Ms Inman Grant also said on Friday that Pinterest, where users compile online notice boards of images, would not be included in the ban because its original purpose was not about online social interaction.

Instead, the platform is used “more by individuals collecting images for inspiration and idea collection,” she said.

Australia’s world-first under-16 social media ban also includes YouTube, Reddit, Kik, Threads and Xx.

The ban means tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent people under 16 from using their platforms or face fines of up to $49.5m (US$32m, £25m).

Earlier this week, Meta – which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads – announced it would start shutting down accounts of teens under 16 starting December 4, a week before the official ban.

It’s unclear how companies will enforce the ban but some possibilities include the use of government IDs, facial or voice recognition and age estimation. The latter of these uses online information other than date of birth – such as online behavior or interactions – to estimate a person’s age.