Media release - Social media ban: Twitch in with just 19 days to go - 21 November 2025

Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Women
Federal Member for Lindsay

21 November 2025

Social media ban: Twitch in with just 19 days to go

There are 19 days until the social media age minimum comes into force, yet the eSafety Commissioner has only today announced that Twitch will be included.

Shadow Minister for Communications Melissa McIntosh has been warning for months that the Government’s approach to setting a minimum age for social media has been poorly planned, with a last-minute scramble on education for families, schools and children.

“Extraordinarily the eSafety Commissioner has just informed Australian families that under 16s won’t be able to have a Twitch account come 10 December,” said Mrs McIntosh.  

“Only giving a platform 19 days to ensure they are compliant with the social media ban is sloppy, last-minute policy work the eSafety Commissioner and government should have done months ago.”

Meta have announced its platforms will begin to deactivate under 16s’ accounts from 4 December, potentially leaving families and kids underprepared. Meta will also use government ID to verify ages.

“Kids using Instagram, Facebook and Threads will need to take steps to save their content or deactivate accounts from 4 December as Meta will begin the banning process early.

“Despite the Communications Minister telling Australians we would not have to use government ID for age verification, Meta has confirmed this will be the case on its platforms. This is unacceptable, and the Minister must explain her comments to Australians that she could ‘unequivocally’ rule this out. Given the Minister’s incorrect assurances on digital ID, will stand up and provide details on how such data will be stored to ensure Australians’ most personal information is protected?

“It is alarming that at ten seconds to midnight, the Communications Minister is announcing additional platforms to the social media age minimum. Legislation for this ban was put in place last year; parents will be scratching their heads with the constant changes taking place. Clarity is needed, and the Minister needs to let Australians know if any other platform will be added over the next three weeks.

“It’s looking more and more like this policy that is meant to protect kids is going to fail under this haphazard, inconsistent and unclear approach. We cannot afford any more delays or failures under this Communications Minister.”