Reddit Debuts New Teen Safety Tools Amid Australia Ban

Just days before Australia becomes the first country to ban social media accounts for anyone under 16, Reddit is rolling out new global safety protections for minors under 18 across its platform (via Bloomberg).

Reddit’s new safeguards include more stringent chat controls and restrictions on personalized advertisements for users identified as under 18. These changes will be automatically activated when the platform determines a user is a teenager. The aim is to limit direct messaging and targeted advertising that might reach younger users.

Simultaneously, Reddit will enforce age verification for users in Australia. New account signups will require a date-of-birth check and use an age-prediction system to assess whether a user is under 16. If a user is determined to be under the minimum age threshold, that account will be suspended.

These steps follow recent legislation passed in Australia that will take effect from December 10, 2025. Under the new law, several major platforms including Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and others must block under-16s from holding accounts or face fines up to A$49.5 million.

Despite complying with the new rules, Reddit has criticized the law. The company argues that the legislation is “arbitrary” and “legally erroneous,” especially because Reddit functions primarily as a pseudonymous discussion forum rather than a traditional social media network. They contend that the restrictions undermine privacy and free expression rights.

Still, Reddit is moving forward to implement the new safety settings worldwide, not just in Australia. The company says the changes will protect teens from unwanted contact, reduce exposure to adult content, and curb personalized tracking.

The Australian law has sparked a broader debate about global online safety and youth protection. Several governments and watchdogs around the world are watching closely to see how the ban will be enforced and whether it sets a precedent for expanded regulation elsewhere.