Accounts held by users under 16 must be removed on apps that include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, Twitch and Threads under ban
Notice how they can still play gacha games apparently. All that concern trolling about protecting them kids while they have completely free rein on playing games designed around dark patterns to turn people into addicts.
I suppose on a positive note, a bunch of game chats is going to see a massive spike in activity since games don’t technically count as social media.
What are the platforms that are not included on the banned list?
Steam and Steam Chat
We’re going to have an entire generation of Aussie kids with their brains melted by Steam chat. I guess instead of possibly turning towards reaction due to Facebook and Twitter, they’ll definitely turn to reaction due to Steam chat lol
I will not entertain the idea that these “protect the children” people actually want to protect children from real harm until they ban all priests from coming within a kilometer of any child
i mean; the real issue here is aus gov not recognizing why social media (and the web) is a problem - if they wanted to solve it they could have banned kids form using platforms built around algorithms designed for eyeball retention. there are meaningful platforms out there (like this one) which is being completely disregarded despite the actual benefit it has on youth; particularly those who are struggling.
but hey; maybe this will see a resurgence of protocols like IRC!
Notice how they can still play gacha games apparently. All that concern trolling about protecting them kids while they have completely free rein on playing games designed around dark patterns to turn people into addicts.
I suppose on a positive note, a bunch of game chats is going to see a massive spike in activity since games don’t technically count as social media.
From here: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/10/social-media-ban-australia-explained-banned-apps-list-guide
We’re going to have an entire generation of Aussie kids with their brains melted by Steam chat. I guess instead of possibly turning towards reaction due to Facebook and Twitter, they’ll definitely turn to reaction due to Steam chat lol
I will not entertain the idea that these “protect the children” people actually want to protect children from real harm until they ban all priests from coming within a kilometer of any child
i mean; the real issue here is aus gov not recognizing why social media (and the web) is a problem - if they wanted to solve it they could have banned kids form using platforms built around algorithms designed for eyeball retention. there are meaningful platforms out there (like this one) which is being completely disregarded despite the actual benefit it has on youth; particularly those who are struggling.
but hey; maybe this will see a resurgence of protocols like IRC!
Theres a fuckton of kids stealing money from their parents wallets or credit card to pay for FIFA Fut or other gacha