Reddit and YouTube May Face the Ban Hammer in Australia

What’s Going Down Down Under?

Get ready, mates! In just a few weeks, Reddit and YouTube might find themselves in a sticky situation right here in Australia. They’re on the verge of getting banned, and it looks like only the VPN superheroes will be able to save the day! If you’re not familiar with the term, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is kind of like that invisibility cloak you wished you had back in school—only it helps you dodge those pesky internet restrictions instead of making you invisible in front of your crush.

What Does This Mean?

So, here’s the scoop! A new law set to kick in on December 10, 2025, is all about keeping kids aged 16 and under safe from dodgy content lurking on social media. It’s all part of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which rocks its origins back to a similar law that tried to do good things starting in 2021.

This new law is like a parental advisory label for the internet, putting the onus on tech companies to make sure our wee ones can’t just waltz into adult-only zones online. While you might be thinking, “Phew, I’m older than 16—no worries for me!” hold your horses! If these sites can’t whip up a reliable age verification system in time, Aussies might find themselves in the dark, waiting patiently while the internet watchmen sort it out.

For now, our only option looks like cozying up to a solid VPN service, which doesn’t feel quite right, does it? But hey, it’s either that or wave goodbye to your favorite memes and kooky cat videos!

Some platforms like Discord and WhatsApp have somehow dodged this bullet… for now. Who knows, they may end up on the chopping block if the situation doesn’t change!

In a recent chat with the press, Anika Wells, Australia’s communications minister, didn’t hold back. She said they’ve been having conversations with social media giants, explaining there’s absolutely no excuse for failing to implement safeguards for kiddos online. According to her, tech companies are using clever technology to lure in our kids, so they’d better use that very same tech to keep them safe!

And abroad, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission’s president, is tiptoeing around this topic too—she’s given a nod of approval for this new amendment. It leaves us wondering: will Europe follow suit and introduce similar laws to keep kids from venturing into the wild west of the internet? Only time will reveal whether this method will actually keep our young ones safe from the big bad online world.

If you’re left pondering what to do once Reddit and YouTube go bye-bye, well, just remember that there are options, albeit a bit unconventional!