Starting December 10, children under the age of 16 will face restrictions preventing them from accessing or owning accounts on various social media platforms.

While popular sites such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are included in this ban, questions arise about the impact on video game platforms frequented by young users. Let’s explore the details.

Indeed, certain gaming platforms will be affected by the forthcoming social media restrictions.

Though individual games themselves remain unaffected, platforms that allow children to play video games or watch streamers play popular games will come under the ban’s purview.

According to the eSafety Commissioner’s website, platforms subject to the new rules are those where “the sole purpose, or a significant purpose, of the service is to enable online social interaction between two or more end-users.”

The key criteria for platforms to fall foul of the new legislation include having “the sole purpose, or a significant purpose, of the service is to enable online social interaction between two or more end-users,” according to the website of the eSafety Commissioner.

“Platforms that have the sole or primary purpose of enabling messaging or online gaming are among a number of types of services that have been excluded under the legislative rules,” it added.

However, some platforms are included and some platforms are excluded.

What platforms are affected by the social media ban?

The main video game platform that falls under the ban is Twitch.

The site is an online streaming platform where users can broadcast live streams or view pre-recorded videos, and it is popular with streamers who show themselves playing video games.

Discord, a similar platform, has not been included in the ban as it stands.

Steam and Steam Deck, a platform where users can purchase and play video games on, has also not been included in the ban.

There has been no news about banning specific consoles or video games, despite both offering the ability to communicate with other users via text or audio chat.

For example, Playstation and Xbox consoles offer the ability for users to communicate with one another, even if the game they are playing doesn’t have the infrastructure to do so.

Is Roblox included in the social media ban?

Roblox is another popular video game platform, particularly for children.

There is no minimum age for the platform, which is a game-creation platform where users can create their own games or play games designed by other users.

The platform, which also gives users the ability to communicate and chat with others, is not included in the social media ban.

However, the company has confirmed it will roll out age verification systems in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands from this month, with a worldwide rollout to follow in the new year.