Twitch, a streaming platform popular with gamers, will be included in the federal government’s contentious social media ban for children and teenagers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Less than three weeks out from when the ban is due to come into force, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant revealed the platform would join Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and others on the list of age-restricted social media sites.<\/p>\n
While the laws include an exemption for platforms that have the “sole or primary” purpose of gaming, the eSafety commissioner found Twitch’s streaming features meant it was primarily designed to encourage user interaction.<\/p>\n
“Twitch is a platform most commonly used for live streaming or posting content that enables users, including Australian children, to interact with others in relation to the content posted,” a statement posted to the eSafety website said.<\/p>\n
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Communications Minister Anika Wells. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)<\/p>\n
The ABC understands no underage users will be permitted to sign up for a Twitch account as of December 10 and any Australian users under 16 will have their accounts deactivated in the month afterwards.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The platform requires all users globally to be at least 13 years old and for non-adult users to be supervised by a parent or guardian.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The online watchdog also revealed that Pinterest, a platform where users compile boards of images, would not fall under the ban as it is “more commonly used by individuals collating images for inspiration and idea curation”.<\/p>\n
Under the government’s world-leading ban, due to come into force on December 10, platforms will be required to ensure anyone under 16 is barred from opening accounts.<\/p>\n
The list of platforms currently includes Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Kick and now Twitch.<\/p>\n