Australia Bans Twitch for Teens, Pinterest Exempted

Australia Expands Social Media Restrictions: Twitch Added to Ban List

With Australia’s impending social media ban for those under 16 nearing implementation, the nation’s online safety regulator, eSafety, has designated Twitch as a prohibited platform.

Pinterest Excluded from Initial Restrictions

However, Pinterest has been excluded from the initial wave of restrictions, aligning with Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) rules.

Twitch Account Restrictions for Young Australians

Starting December 10, Twitch will prevent the creation of new accounts by Australian users who are under the age of 16.

A Twitch representative confirmed to TechCrunch that existing accounts belonging to individuals under 16 will be deactivated by January 9.

Currently, Twitch permits users aged 13 and above globally, but requires parental or guardian involvement for those below the age of adulthood in their respective regions.

Pinterest's Response

A request for comment sent to Pinterest has not yet received a response.

Rationale Behind the Decisions

eSafety has classified Twitch as an “age-restricted social media platform” due to its core functionality centered around online social interaction and features like livestreaming.

Conversely, Pinterest is primarily utilized for image and idea collection, and therefore does not fall under the same age-restricted guidelines.

Platforms Affected by the Broader Ban

Australia’s underage social media ban, set to take effect on December 10, will encompass several major platforms.

These include Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube (excluding YouTube Kids and Google Classroom), Reddit, and the Australian streaming service, Kick.

These platforms will be obligated to restrict access to users under the age of 16, as stated by the internet regulator.

Legislative Background

Approximately a year ago, Australia enacted legislation prohibiting social media use for children under 16.

At that time, prominent technology companies, including Google and Meta, urged the government to postpone enforcement until the completion of age-verification trials.

Self-Assessment Tools Available

The regulator has provided a self-assessment tool to assist platforms in determining their compliance with the SMMA rules.

Global Trends in Online Safety Regulation

Several other countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., are pursuing similar measures to regulate online content access.

As of August 2025, twenty-four U.S. states have implemented age-verification laws.

Utah was the first state to mandate that app stores verify user ages and obtain parental consent for minors downloading applications.

United Kingdom's Online Safety Act

The U.K.’s Online Safety Act, which came into force in July, requires social media platforms and other online services to block children’s access to harmful content or face substantial financial penalties.

The U.K. mandates robust age checks for high-risk content, such as material related to self-harm and eating disorders, to safeguard users under 18.