Ankara: Australia on Wednesday added Reddit and livestreaming platform Kick to its growing list of social media sites required to bar users under 16, extending a landmark law set to take effect next month. From Dec. 10, the two platforms will join Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Threads, and YouTube in facing a 'world-first legal obligation' to prevent children from opening or maintaining accounts, Communications Minister Anika Wells said. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to A$50 million ($33 million).

According to Anadolu Agency, Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized the seriousness of the new regulations by stating, "We have met with several of the social media platforms in the past month so that they understand there is no excuse for failure to implement this law." She added that online platforms use technology to target children with chilling control, and the government is asking them to use the same technology to ensure children's safety online.

The enforcement of this regulation will be overseen by the country's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant. Grant mentioned that the list of restricted platforms is expected to evolve alongside new technological developments. "We'll also look for unintended consequences and we'll be gathering evidence so that others could learn from Australia's achievements," she said, pointing out ongoing research into the ban's potential impact on children's sleep, social habits, and physical activity.

The initiative has attracted international attention, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressing her admiration for Australia's 'common sense' approach in September. However, the measure has also faced criticism from over 140 academics who argue that it might compromise user privacy by necessitating age verification.

Despite the criticisms, Wells has reassured the public that the government is committed to maintaining personal data privacy while focusing on children's online safety.