Australia Extends Social‑Media Ban to Include Twitch

Live‑streaming platform joins nine other services required to remove users under 16

The Australian government has announced that Twitch, the popular live‑streaming service favoured by gamers, will be added to the list of platforms mandated to delete accounts belonging to users younger than 16 years old. This move expands the existing ban, which already covers nine major social‑media sites.

Under the new regulations, any platform that allows children to create accounts without verified parental consent must either obtain that consent or purge the accounts of minors. Twitch has been given a short compliance window to either implement a robust age‑verification system or to remove the under‑16 user base entirely.

The decision follows growing concerns from Australian officials about the exposure of young people to inappropriate content and online harassment on live‑streaming services. By tightening age‑restriction rules, the government aims to create a safer digital environment for teenagers.

Industry observers note that the added pressure on Twitch could set a precedent for other streaming platforms worldwide, potentially prompting a broader shift toward stricter age‑verification protocols.