Twitch has announced it will no longer allow Australian users under 16 to hold accounts on the platform. The change implements a two-phase rollout targeting underage users in response to new Australian regulations.
Starting immediately, Australian residents under 16 cannot create new Twitch accounts. Existing accounts belonging to under-16 Australian users will be deactivated on January 9.
The move is part of a broader Australian regulatory push requiring major social platforms to restrict access for minors. The country has positioned itself at the forefront of online safety legislation, with new rules specifically targeting social media companies to implement age verification systems.
Under-16 users will lose access to all interactive features on Twitch. They won’t be able to stream, chat, follow channels, or manage subscriptions. However, Twitch streams remain viewable without an account, meaning Australian minors can still watch content without logging in.
Platforms operating in Australia now face legal obligations to verify user ages. The specific methods vary by company, but options being discussed include photo ID checks, facial age estimation technology, and digital ID tokens. Australia’s law reportedly requires platforms to offer alternatives to direct ID submission, encouraging privacy-preserving verification methods.
Twitch isn’t alone in this shift. Other social media platforms face the same Australian regulatory requirements, though enforcement varies. Discord has reportedly been classified as a messaging app rather than social media, potentially exempting it from the same restrictions.
Australian lawmakers designed these rules to combat cyberbullying and mental health issues linked to social media use among minors. The government cited research showing high rates of anxiety, depression, and body image problems in young users exposed to social platforms.
Your streamer dreams can wait until 16
The restriction is temporary and age-based. Users will regain access once they turn 16 and complete whatever age verification process Twitch implements.
For Australian teens currently streaming on Twitch, the change means losing their channels and any monetization until they reach the legal age. Under-16 content creators will have their accounts deactivated along with everyone else in their age bracket.
