Australia is making a big change to how young people use the internet and also country has decided to ban social media for anyone under 16 and now Twitch has also been added to that ban list

Why Twitch Was Included

Twitch is known for gaming and livestream but officials say its more than just that Kids and viewers chat and interact also talk in real time exactly like other social apps.
From 10 December kids under 16 in Australia won’t be able to make a Twitch account and by 9 January any current accounts from under-16 users will be shut down permanently

Which Platforms Are Included in ban list?

Australia has added several major platforms to the ban these include:

• Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, X, Threads, Kick, and now Twitch
Pinterest was not included because it’s mainly used for saving images and ideas not chatting with strangers

Why the Ban Is Happening

The government says it wants to protect our children from pressure and harmful online content Kids today face many challenges online from bullying to unsafe interactions and authorities believe this ban will help reduce risks and protect kids.

What Tech Companies Have to Do

Starting next month social platforms must take reasonable steps to block under-16 users If they fail so they can be fined up to $49.5 million.
Some companies like Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, Threads) have already started closing accounts early.

How Will Age Be Verified?

It is still unclear how companies will check user’s ages. Some simple methods they may use include:

• Government ID checks, face or voice recognition, or AI systems that guess age based on online behavior.

What This Means for Teens

This is the first rule of its kind in the world. Some people support it saying kids need more safety online. Others worry about privacy and whether these checks will work properly.
But one thing is very sure the online world for young Australians is about to change in a big way