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Australia thinks GitHub is as risky for kids as TikTok

GitHub, along with several other platforms, might be damaging to kids, according to Australia’s watchdog. The commission is investigating which companies will need to comply with age restrictions coming into effect in December.

Australia age restrictions

Image by Cybernews

Paulina Okunytė
Paulina Okunytė Senior Journalist
Sep 25, 2025 Updated: 28 October 2025 2 min read

GitHub, along with several other platforms, might be damaging to kids, according to Australia’s watchdog. The commission is investigating which companies will need to comply with age restrictions coming into effect in December.

Key takeaways:
  • Australia will ban under-16s from harmful social media starting December 10th.
  • GitHub is under review for possible inclusion due to interactive features and risky content.
  • The decision has sparked public backlash, from calling it "lunacy" to concerns about limiting coding access.
  • Regulators are assessing more than 16 platforms, and the list may grow.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has fired off a letter to GitHub, asking the Microsoft-owned code-sharing giant to consider whether it should be treated like a social media platform that endangers children.

Starting December 10th, Australia’s new rules will ban teens under 16 from using certain social media platforms deemed harmful to kids.

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and X are on the suspect list. But according to ABC News, regulators have also been contacting other platforms, including GitHub, to see if they meet the legal definition of “social network.”

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"There are some [cases] that are pretty clear, [but] we still had to give them the due diligence process," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said to ABC News.

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Instant backlash from internet users

GitHub is a platform primarily for developers to store, share, and collaborate on code. However, some of the platform’s functionalities might resemble a social network. For example, users can comment, interact with each other, and share images.

GitHub has also long been a convenient host for malware, phishing kits, and other shady projects that might harm kids. However, internet users have already ridiculed the decision to include GitHub on the list of restricted platforms.

“Complete lunacy happening in Australia,” wrote X user.

“I guess kids wanting to learn to code will have to do so from outside Australia.”

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“I laughed so hard when I saw that. GitHub must be dangerous for kids,” another user on X wrote.

Many X users discussed whether the ban is another means to control open source tool usage.

“My guess is they want to restrict people from downloading open source tools and code that might be used to circumvent their censorship measures, such as VPN, encryption chats, and other freedom tech stuff.”

Roblox, Reddit, TikTok, and others in the list

The eSafety Commissioner’s initial list of potential companies that might need to comply with Australia’s social media age restrictions includes:

  • Meta – Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp
  • Snap
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • X
  • Roblox
  • Pinterest
  • Discord
  • Lego Play
  • Reddit
  • Kick
  • GitHub
  • HubApp
  • Match
  • Steam
  • Twitch

The 16 companies have been asked to use eSafety's "self-assessment" tool to help determine if their service falls under the new laws. If companies want out of the December ban, they’ll need to formally argue their exemption and provide proof.

The list might also grow bigger, as the eSafety reportedly conducted background research on about 100 different platforms.

FAQ

What is happening in Australia regarding social media age limits?

Starting December 10th, 2025, Australian law will ban users under 16 from accessing certain social media platforms deemed harmful to children.

Why is GitHub being investigated?

GitHub, primarily a code-sharing platform, has interactive features like commenting and sharing content. Regulators are assessing whether it should be classified as a social network that could expose children to harmful material.

Which other platforms are affected?

Platforms under review include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, Roblox, Reddit, Discord, Steam, Lego Play, Kick, Github, HubApp, Match, Twitch, Pinterest.

What actions do the companies need to take before the ban comes into effect?

Companies are asked to use eSafety’s “self-assessment” tool to determine if their platform falls under the law. To avoid the ban, they must formally argue for an exemption with supporting evidence.

Has the public reacted to Australia's age restriction attempts?

Yes, many internet users criticized the decision to include GitHub, arguing it could limit children’s ability to learn coding and access open-source tools.

Could the list of restricted platforms in Australia grow?

Yes, the eSafety Commission has reviewed roughly 100 platforms, and the list of potential age-restricted services may expand.

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