SYDNEY – Australia’s internet safety regulator has expanded its scrutiny of social media platforms, identifying more than a dozen additional sites that could fall under the country’s groundbreaking ban on social media access for children under 16.
The eSafety Commissioner has written to 16 companies, including messaging service WhatsApp, streaming platform Twitch, discussion forum Reddit, and gaming company Roblox, asking them to “self-assess” whether their services should be subject to the world-first legislation.
The move significantly broadens the scope of Australia’s social media ban, which already covers major platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. Other companies under review include Pinterest, Lego Play, streaming service Kick, and gaming platform Steam.
Commissioner seeks company input
Julie Inman Grant, head of the eSafety Commissioner, said the regulator would give companies due process to argue their case for exemption from the ban.
“While some cases are pretty clear, we need to hear them all out,” Grant told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday. “We need to give them the due diligence process.”
Companies must make their case if they believe their platform should be exempt from the ban, according to the national broadcaster. The regulator said it would initially focus on platforms with the largest user bases and highest risk of harm to children.
Industry pushback
Roblox has already pushed back against inclusion in the ban, arguing it does not qualify as a social media platform.
“We prohibit users from uploading real-world photos or video, or re-sharing news, and we do not offer social media feeds within experiences in Australia,” a Roblox spokesperson said. “We completed the self-assessment process and communicated to eSafety that our position remains that we are an exempted online gaming platform.”
Enforcement challenges
The legislation has drawn criticism from tech companies and experts who describe the laws as “vague,” “problematic” and “rushed.” Current legislation provides few details on how the ban will be enforced, raising concerns it may prove largely symbolic.
The eSafety Commission has the power to impose fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.6 million) on social media companies that fail to comply with the rules.
However, the government has struggled to define how platforms will verify users’ ages. Communications Minister Anika Wells conceded this month that companies would need to self-regulate age verification.
Broader child safety measures
An independent government-commissioned study found this month that age checking can be done “privately, efficiently and effectively,” though it acknowledged no single solution would work in all contexts.
The regulator has also introduced additional rules taking effect in coming months to protect children from “lawful but awful” content, including online pornography and AI chatbots capable of sexually explicit conversations.
This month, Roblox agreed to implement measures to reduce the risk of adults grooming children on its platform in Australia.
Australia has positioned itself as a global leader in efforts to prevent internet-related harm to children, though critics question whether the ambitious legislation can be effectively implemented.
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