Twitch, Roblox, and Steam Among Platforms Facing Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban

Australia’s upcoming ban on children under 16 using social media is set to take effect on December 10, 2025, and gaming-adjacent platforms like Twitch, Roblox, Steam, and Lego Play have now entered the regulatory spotlight.

The country’s eSafety Commissioner has contacted more than a dozen companies to determine whether they fall under the scope of the law, which could have wide-reaching effects for how young users access online communities.

What does the new law mean?

In December 2024, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 was passed by the Australian Parliament to amend the country’s Online Safety Act 2021. It raises the minimum age for creating or maintaining social media accounts from 13 to 16, making Australia one of the first countries to implement such a strict nationwide policy.

Under the law, platforms classified as “age-restricted” must take “reasonable steps” to prevent minors from creating or keeping accounts. This includes introducing age verification technologies like biometrics, government ID checks, or behavioral analysis, while ensuring children’s personal information isn’t collected unnecessarily.

The eSafety Commissioner will oversee enforcement and can take non-compliant platforms to court, with potential penalties reaching up to AUD $49.5 million for corporations. Importantly, the law does not punish children or their parents if under-16s still manage to access services; it places the full responsibility on the companies.

Which platforms are being assessed?

In mid-September, Commissioner Julie Inman Grant reached out to 16 more tech companies running online platforms with potential social features. This followed earlier communications with major players like Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter).

The Commissioner’s inquiries extended to the following companies:

• Gaming and community platforms: Roblox, Discord, Twitch, Steam.

• Discussion forums: Reddit.

• Messaging and social apps: WhatsApp (via Meta).

• Others: GitHub (code-sharing site), Kick (Twitch rival), dating apps from Match Group (e.g., Tinder), and even niche services like Lego Play.

The goal was to broaden the scope beyond obvious "Big Tech" social media, targeting any service where users can interact socially, connect, or share content, as defined by the new law.

Why are gaming platforms included?

The inclusion of gaming services raised eyebrows because the legislation explicitly exempts platforms designed mainly for playing online games. Still, regulators argue that platforms like Roblox, with extensive chat and social features, blur the line between gaming and social media.

Commissioner Grant has repeatedly voiced concerns about children being targeted by predators on the platform. In a statement earlier this month, she noted:

“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. Roblox is no exception.”

What happens next?

The law officially kicks in on December 10, 2025, giving companies a narrow window to prepare. Between now and then, the eSafety Commissioner will release more details on platform assessments and compliance expectations.

If services like Roblox and Steam are held to the same standards as TikTok or Instagram, we might see sweeping changes in how online games handle chat, friend lists, and account creation for younger audiences.