Reddit Rolls Out Global Teen Safety Measures as Australia Enforces Under‑16 Social Media Ban

Reddit is rolling out enhanced safety controls for users under 18 worldwide as Australia implements a pioneering law that bars children under 16 from major social platforms. The update combines legally required changes for Australian users with voluntary global protections designed to reduce teens' exposure to adult content, targeted advertising and unmoderated interactions.

What Changes For Teens

All Reddit accounts identified as belonging to people under 18 will encounter a safer version of the platform: stricter chat settings, removal of access to NSFW or other mature content, and a ban on sensitive or personalized ads. For Australian users specifically, Reddit will require birthdates at signup and apply an automated "age prediction" model to help prevent underage access to adult content. Users flagged as likely under 16 will be given the opportunity to appeal or verify their age.

Reddit said it will suspend accounts it determines belong to people older than 13 but under 16; the company already prohibits accounts for children under 13 worldwide.

Law, Compliance And Debate

The Australian law — the first national restriction of its kind — instructs 10 major social platforms to block users under 16 or face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (about $32.9 million). Reddit said it disagrees "about the scope, effectiveness, and privacy implications" of the legislation but will implement the required changes while also introducing some protections globally for under‑18s.

"We care deeply about the safety of our users, including any minors," Reddit said, noting that some measures are legally required and others are voluntary steps to improve safety and privacy for younger users.

Other major companies, including Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram and Threads), have begun restricting access for children in Australia. Experts say the move could prompt similar age‑based policies in other countries as governments reassess how to protect young people online.

Why This Matters: The shift underscores increasing global scrutiny of social platforms' responsibilities toward minors and may set a precedent for broader regulatory action on youth access to social media.