Getty ImagesTwitch, a popular streaming platform among gamers, has been added to Australia's social media ban for teenagers, which comes into force next month.
It joins other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, which must ensure that those under 16 cannot open accounts, with existing ones closed as of December 10.
Australia's internet regulator, which is overseeing the ban, said Amazon-owned Twitch was included because its primary purpose was “social online interaction” where users were encouraged to communicate with each other about content posted.
A Twitch spokesperson said Australians under 16 will not be able to open a Twitch account from December 10, and existing accounts for children under 16 will be deactivated from January 9.
ESafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, explaining the reasons for Twitch's inclusion, said it is “the platform most commonly used for live streaming or publishing content that allows users, including Australian children, to interact with others regarding the content posted.”
No more platforms are expected to be added before the ban's start date next month, Ms Inman Grant said.
The government previously said the ban was aimed at reducing the “pressures and risks” that children may be exposed to on social media, including harmful content.
Founded in 2007, Twitch is a popular live streaming platform where people typically play video games while interacting with viewers.
Launched last year plans to share most of its income with creators as part of a shake-up that allows streamers to make money by having fans subscribe to their channel.
Revenue is split equally between Twitch and the creator after fees are paid.
Twitch's policy prohibits anyone under the age of 13 from using its platform, and users between the ages of 13 and the legal age in their country can only join if they have permission from their parents or guardians.
Ms Inman Grant also said on Friday that Pinterest, on which users can create online message boards with images, would not be included in the ban because its main purpose was not online social interaction.
Instead, the platform was “used more often by people collating images for inspiration and idea curation,” she said.
The world's first social media ban for children under 16 also includes YouTube, Reddit, Kick, Threads and X.
The ban means tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to stop under-16s using their platforms or risk being fined up to $49.5 million ($32 million, £25 million).
Earlier this week, Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, announced that it will begin closing the accounts of teenagers under 16 years of age from December 4, a week before the official ban.
It's unclear how companies would enforce the ban, but some possibilities include using government-issued ID cards, facial or voice recognition and age detection. The latter uses online information other than date of birth, such as online behavior or interactions, to estimate a person's age.
