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The eSafety Commissioner said Twitch qualifies as a social media service
Renju JoseFriday 21 November 2025 09:37 GMTComments
open image in galleryEarlier this month, the commissioner expanded the ban to add Reddit and video live streaming platform Kick (Getty Images)
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Australia's internet watchdog announced Friday that Amazon.com-owned live streaming service Twitch will be included in its upcoming teen social media ban. Image-sharing platform Pinterest, however, will not join the list.
From December 10, Australia will become the world's first country to bar people aged 16 years and under from using social media, with penalties up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for companies that fail to take "reasonable steps" to comply.
The eSafety Commissioner said Twitch qualifies as a social media service because it is primarily used for livestreaming and posting interactive content that allows users - including children - to communicate with others.
Twitch plans to deactivate all user accounts for people aged 16 and under from January 9, and will bar new under-age users from creating accounts once the ban comes into force next month.
Pinterest, however, will not be added to the list. The eSafety Commissioner said that while it allows some online social interaction, that is not its main purpose, noting that it is used for collecting images and curating ideas.
Earlier this month, the commissioner expanded the ban to add Reddit and video live streaming platform Kick. Major firms already covered include Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and Alphabet-owned YouTube.
open image in galleryA selection of social media apps (Getty Images)No further assessments will be conducted before the rules take effect on December 10, the commissioner said.
This week Meta announced it would start deactivating the Instagram and Facebook accounts of its Australian users under 16 from 4 December, a week before the government’s law to ban social media for teens takes effect.
The tech giant had previously indicated it would begin removing access to accounts for those under 16 only as the law was enacted on 10 December.
With just two weeks left before the ban is enforced, Australian teenagers are reportedly receiving notifications on Instagram and Facebook to save their data before access to their accounts is revoked.
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