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.

The post Twitch, Roblox, and Steam Could Be Banned for Under 16s in Australia appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Picture this: you’re settling in to watch your favourite Counter-Strike 2 streamer, dima_wallhacks, hoping for another smooth, chin-scratching playthrough. Instead, the broadcast ends abruptly, he’s banned on Twitch mid-stream. That’s exactly what happened recently, and let’s unpack the whole drama.

Who Is dima_wallhacks?

dima_wallhacks is a well-known CS2 (Counter-Strike 2) streamer and former CS:GO content creator, based in Lithuania. He regularly hosts marathon streams full of challenges, rank climbing, and entertainment for his community. That grind and charismatic style made him a Twitch partner with a solid following.

What Went Down: Copyright Strike and Ban

On 10 August 2025, dima decided to co-stream the CYBERSHOKE vs BC.Game match—an Exort The Proving Grounds Season 3 showdown that featured none other than s1mple making his debut for BC.Game. The match was broadcast online and everything seemed fine… until it wasn’t.

Midway through, Twitch slapped him with a copyright ban, apparently because he hadn’t secured the rights to rebroadcast the match. The timing couldn’t have been worse, with thousands tuning in to see s1mple back on the server.

bro thought he didn’t need to ask for perms if it’s not a tier 1 tournament 😭 #freedima

— dona (@donacsgo) August 10, 2025

And dima himself? He responded with a short, meme-ready “ratio.” a classic online clapback when you’re unfazed (or pretending to be).

ratio.

— dima_wallhacks (@dima_wallhacks) August 10, 2025

The Bigger Picture: Rights, Twitch, and Risks

This wasn’t just a random ban. It’s a reminder that co-streaming esports without proper permission can get messy, fast. Tournament organisers, sponsors, and Twitch itself are strict about broadcast rights, especially when high-profile players like s1mple are involved.

Even if it’s “just a smaller tournament,” it doesn’t make it a free-for-all. Without permission, you’re rolling the dice on your channel’s future.

The post CS2 Streamer dima_wallhacks Banned on Twitch Because of S1mple? appeared first on Shane the Gamer.