Australia has broadened its pioneering social media ban for children under 16, adding Reddit and live-streaming platform Kick to the list of restricted platforms. This brings the total number of banned sites to nine, including Facebook, X, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads. Starting December 10, tech companies face fines of up to A$50 million ($32.5 million) if they fail to take ‘reasonable steps’ to deactivate existing accounts for minors and prevent new ones. The government emphasized that these platforms were selected because their primary or significant purpose is to facilitate online social interaction. More sites may be added as technology evolves. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, stated that delaying children’s access to social media allows them time to develop without exposure to harmful design features like opaque algorithms and endless scrolling. However, messaging services such as Discord and WhatsApp, gaming platforms like Lego Play and Roblox, and educational tools like Google Classroom and YouTube Kids are exempt. Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells defended the ban, asserting it aims to protect children from the ‘chilling control’ of online platforms. Critics, however, have raised concerns about data privacy and the reliability of age verification methods, which include ID documents, parental approval, and facial recognition technology. While polls show most Australian adults support the ban, some mental health advocates argue it could isolate children or drive them to unregulated parts of the internet. They suggest the government should focus on regulating harmful content and educating children about online risks. Notably, an Australian influencer family with millions of YouTube followers recently announced plans to relocate to the UK to circumvent the ban, ensuring their 14-year-old daughter can continue creating content. YouTube, initially exempt, was later included in the ban after the government cited it as the platform where children aged 10 to 15 most frequently encountered harmful content. Teens under 16 can still view YouTube videos but cannot create accounts, which are necessary for uploading or interacting on the platform.