Streaming Platform Twitch Added to Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban

New addition to Australia’s major platform restrictions

Australia’s internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, has confirmed that Twitch will be included in the landmark nationwide ban that stops children under the age of 16 from maintaining or creating social-media accounts on certain platforms. The update was announced on 21 November 2025. From 10 December 2025, Twitch will no longer permit Australian users under 16 to create new accounts. Existing accounts held by users under 16 will be deactivated by around 9 January 2026.

Why Twitch is included

While Twitch is primarily known as a gaming and streaming platform, the eSafety Commissioner ruled that it meets the criteria of a “social-media service” under the law because of its live-streaming and interactive chat features. It said:

“Twitch is a platform most commonly used for live streaming … posting content … that enables users, including Australian children, to interact with others in relation to the content posted.”
The government’s law — the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 — requires affected platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from holding or accessing accounts.

What users and parents need to know

• If you are under 16, you will no longer be able to create a Twitch account from 10 December. Existing accounts under that age will be deactivated by early January. news.com.au+1
• If you have a Twitch account and are under 16, it’s advisable to download or backup your data (streams, chats, clips) prior to deactivation where possible.
• Parents will want to check whether their children’s accounts are correctly flagged and understand how this change may impact their online habits.
• Twitch must comply to avoid fines (up to A$49.5 million) for failing to enforce the age restrictions properly.

Broader implications & concerns

The inclusion of Twitch shows how the ban’s scope is broader than traditional “social-networking” apps; streaming services with significant interactive features are now captured. Experts note:

• Age–verification and enforcement will be challenging, especially on platforms where age is self-declared.
• Some worry the ban may push under-16s toward unregulated or less-safe platforms, rather than reduce their overall online exposure.
• The “dynamic list” principle means other platforms may yet be added based on functionality and youth usage.

What happens next

• Twitch and other listed platforms will roll out updates in December to enforce the changes.
• The eSafety Commissioner and the government will monitor compliance and platform migration patterns among young users.
• As the ban comes into effect, educational efforts around safe-online behaviour, digital literacy and alternative offline activities will gain greater importance.

This development marks a significant shift for Australia’s approach to youth digital safety. By including a major streaming platform like Twitch, the ban aims to reduce under-16 exposure to interactive content and peer-led dynamics on large social platforms. Whether it will achieve its intended outcomes — and how the enforcement will unfold — remains to be seen.