In a bold move that positions Australia at the forefront of digital child protection, the federal government has unveiled sweeping new legislation that will ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, with Reddit specifically included in the crackdown.
What the New Legislation Means
The proposed laws represent one of the world's most aggressive stances on youth online safety. Under the new framework, social media companies will be required to implement robust age verification systems to prevent under-16s from creating accounts or accessing their platforms.
Reddit's inclusion marks a significant expansion of what constitutes a social media platform under Australian law, moving beyond the usual suspects like TikTok and Instagram to include discussion-based platforms that have traditionally flown under the regulatory radar.
The Government's Stance on Digital Protection
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasised the urgent need for these measures, stating that the government can no longer stand by while children face "significant harms to their mental health and wellbeing" from social media exposure.
The legislation follows growing international concern about the impact of social media on young people's mental health, with Australia joining other nations implementing stricter digital age controls.
Implementation Challenges and Timeline
While the government has announced its intention to proceed with the ban, several key questions remain unanswered:
- What specific age verification technologies will be mandated?
- How will compliance be enforced across international platforms?
- What penalties will companies face for non-compliance?
- How will the rules apply to existing under-16 users?
The government has indicated that consultation with tech companies and privacy experts will continue throughout 2025, with the legislation expected to be introduced to parliament next year.
Broader Implications for Digital Regulation
This move positions Australia alongside other nations taking aggressive stances on youth online protection. The inclusion of Reddit suggests regulators are broadening their definition of social media to encompass any platform enabling user interaction and content sharing.
Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the data collection required for age verification, while mental health experts have largely welcomed the measures as necessary protection for vulnerable young minds.
The coming months will reveal how social media giants respond to what could become a global template for youth digital protection legislation.