Australia’s incoming social media crackdown could go further than many expected, with gaming platforms like Roblox, Steam, and even Twitch now under review for possible restrictions on users under 16.
The new laws, which kick in from 10 December, are designed to prevent kids under 16 from creating accounts on certain online platforms. The country’s eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has been contacting major companies throughout September, asking them to complete self-assessments to determine whether the ban applies to their services.
Social media giants in the spotlight
Unsurprisingly, apps like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, and Discord are firmly on the regulator’s radar. An eSafety spokesperson said many of these platforms “meet many of the conditions the legislation uses to define an age-restricted social media platform,” meaning they’re highly likely to be covered by the law.
Other platforms on the list include Pinterest, Reddit, Kick, and even Microsoft-owned GitHub, despite the latter being a developer-focused site rather than a social hub. Match Group’s dating apps Tinder and Hinge were also named, although they already have an 18+ restriction in place.
Why gaming platforms are caught up
The bigger surprise was the inclusion of Roblox, Lego Play, and Steam. Typically, services that exist mainly for online gaming are exempt from the new rules. But eSafety has raised specific concerns about communication features in games, particularly Roblox, which has previously come under fire for being exploited by predators.
“We know that when it comes to platforms that are popular with children, they also become popular with adult predators seeking to prey on them,” Inman Grant said earlier this month.
Roblox has promised to roll out tougher protections before the end of 2025, including private-by-default accounts for under 16s, stricter chat controls, and features that stop adults from contacting kids without parental approval. Direct chat will also be disabled until a user completes age verification.
Watching streams vs having an account
It’s worth noting that the rules don’t stop people from watching content altogether. Platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Kick will still let people view streams and videos without logging in. However, creating an account, which is necessary for chatting, subscribing, or posting, is what would fall under the restriction.
What happens next
eSafety won’t be releasing a formal list of which platforms qualify as “age-restricted.” Instead, it will rely on the companies’ self-assessments and its own judgement. Any service it believes falls under the law will be expected to comply, with further information set to be shared publicly before the December deadline.
For now, the big question is how wide the net will be cast. While parents may welcome tougher safeguards for kids online, the move to include gaming platforms like Roblox and Steam could prove controversial.