Australia's internet watchdog, eSafety, has officially added Twitch to the list of social media platforms banned for users under 16, with the new restrictions taking effect on December 10. This decision, part of Australia's Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) rules, notably exempts Pinterest.
The move comes just weeks before Australia's social media ban for users under 16 is enforced. A Twitch spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that Australians under 16 will be unable to create new accounts from December 10. Existing accounts for this age group will be deactivated on January 9. Globally, Twitch generally allows users aged 13 and older, requiring parental or guardian involvement for those under the legal age of adulthood in their region.
Pinterest did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding its exemption.
Australia's eSafety explained that Twitch is categorized as an "age-restricted social media platform" due to its core design around online social interaction and engagement features like live-streaming. In contrast, Pinterest, primarily used for collecting images and ideas, does not fall under these age-restricted rules.
The nationwide social media ban, which commences on December 10, will also apply to major platforms including Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube (with exceptions for YouTube Kids and Google Classroom), Reddit, and the local streaming service Kick. These platforms are mandated by the internet regulator to block account access for users under 16.
The legislation banning social media use for children under 16 was initially passed by Australia approximately a year ago. Following its approval, major tech companies like Google and Meta had called on the government to delay enforcement, advocating for the completion of the country's age-verification trial first.
The regulator provides a self-assessment tool to help platforms determine if they must adhere to the SMMA rules.
Global Efforts to Protect Young Users Online
Other nations, including the U.S. and the U.K., are also implementing measures to regulate children's online content, albeit with varying approaches. As of August 2025, twenty-four U.S. states have so far enacted age-verification laws. Utah notably became the first to require app stores to verify users' ages and secure parental consent for minors downloading applications.
The U.K.'s Online Safety Act, which came into effect in July, mandates social media and other online platforms to block children's access to harmful content or face substantial fines. The U.K. specifically requires robust age checks for high-risk content, such as material related to self-harm and eating disorders, to safeguard users under 18.
