Australia has expanded its social media access restrictions for individuals under 16 years of age to include the streaming platform Twitch.
Implementation Schedule
New Twitch accounts for individuals under 16 will be prohibited from December 10. Existing Twitch accounts held by individuals in this age group are scheduled for deactivation starting January 9. This regulatory action aligns Twitch with other platforms previously included in the ban, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Rationale for Inclusion
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant cited Twitch's primary function of "online social interaction" and its encouragement of user engagement with content and other users as the basis for its inclusion. Ms. Inman Grant also stated that no additional platforms are anticipated to be added to the ban before its commencement next month.
Government Objectives and Platform Policies
The Australian government has indicated that the ban is designed to reduce potential pressures and risks for children on social media. Twitch, owned by Amazon, is a livestreaming platform primarily used for playing video games and facilitating viewer interaction. Its existing policy prohibits users under 13 and requires parental or guardian permission for users aged 13 to the legal age of adulthood in their respective countries. Twitch also implements a revenue-sharing model with content creators through channel subscriptions.