Originally posted by Deacon the destroyer:

Does Australia's ban of 16 and under kids from social media effect steam?

I'm in the US but caught that on the news and am curious.

Not unless they add it to the list as it's not considered a "social media site".

It's a store, for digital distribution.

Originally posted by Deacon the destroyer:

Australia bans kids from social media.

Does Australia's ban of 16 and under kids from social media effect steam?

I'm in the US but caught that on the news and am curious.

Join... https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/12/695372973294560950/

So basically MMOs are not social media. Do not clue them in about games like Stardew valley.
Man, thought is was just US that made laws about things we don't understand

Not yet Steam. It's been lobbed in with childrens apps....

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/09/australia/australia-social-media-ban-starts-intl-hnk

"Which platforms aren’t included?

Along with the list of banned sites is a list of platforms that aren’t considered part of the ban – yet. They are Discord, GitHub, Google Classroom, LEGO Play, Messenger, Pinterest, Roblox, Steam and Steam Chat, WhatsApp and YouTube Kids."

I would say that's likely going to change though. Being Discord, Steam and Roblox are all under the radar right now.

Originally posted by Deacon the destroyer:

So basically MMOs are not social media. Do not clue them in about games like Stardew valley.
Man, thought is was just US that made laws about things we don't understand

Those are video games with lots of players.

Social media is typically known as places like Facebook, reddit, Twitter/X etc.

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

Originally posted by Deacon the destroyer:

So basically MMOs are not social media. Do not clue them in about games like Stardew valley.
Man, thought is was just US that made laws about things we don't understand

Those are video games with lots of players.

Social media is typically known as places like Facebook, reddit, Twitter/X etc.

Then why is the UK law effective on Steam?

Anyhow, it's gonna happen here in the states as well..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSI81H3EApY

That's coming from a Senate Hearing with Metas own documents.

We're going to be raising ages, seemingly everywhere. Just have a State ID, Drivers license or Credit Card.

This has no real chance of working anyway.
The government has no clue how to enforce it and basically just said to the tech companies " do something or else".
And the tech companies already said its not possible to enforce without sweeping government laws supporting it and those are not in the cards.
In the end nothing much will happen, the government will throw a fit and give out "fines" like candy, the tech companies will appeal and go to court and in 10 years we might get an result.

Online licenses are coming.

Originally posted by xBCxRangers:

Not yet Steam. It's been lobbed in with childrens apps....

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/09/australia/australia-social-media-ban-starts-intl-hnk

"Which platforms aren’t included?

Along with the list of banned sites is a list of platforms that aren’t considered part of the ban – yet. They are Discord, GitHub, Google Classroom, LEGO Play, Messenger, Pinterest, Roblox, Steam and Steam Chat, WhatsApp and YouTube Kids."

I would say that's likely going to change though. Being Discord, Steam and Roblox are all under the radar right now.

Oh roblox will definetly get into this law. My cousin plays roblox and people do nasty things on there, even technically though, it is a kids game. They even told me someone advertising pornography on there. So yes, Roblox will fall under this law. In fact someone in texas is suing roblox for telling their kid to commit suicide, and apparently, they did it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8ZqVK2bK00

Steam is not social media.
It is a online storefront that happens to have forums attached.

Originally posted by Hikari Light:

Steam is not social media.
It is a online storefront that happens to have forums attached.

Correct. The only reason why EGS does not do it because they don't want the hassle of having forums. But i see forums as a double edged sword. Because players can ask about support for games on the forums.

Originally posted by RPG Gamer Man:

Originally posted by xBCxRangers:

Not yet Steam. It's been lobbed in with childrens apps....

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/09/australia/australia-social-media-ban-starts-intl-hnk

"Which platforms aren’t included?

Along with the list of banned sites is a list of platforms that aren’t considered part of the ban – yet. They are Discord, GitHub, Google Classroom, LEGO Play, Messenger, Pinterest, Roblox, Steam and Steam Chat, WhatsApp and YouTube Kids."

I would say that's likely going to change though. Being Discord, Steam and Roblox are all under the radar right now.

Oh roblox will definetly get into this law. My cousin plays roblox and people do nasty things on there, even technically though, it is a kids game. They even told me someone advertising pornography on there. So yes, Roblox will fall under this law. In fact someone in texas is suing roblox for telling their kid to commit suicide, and apparently, they did it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8ZqVK2bK00

Right, the key part of that article was the word "yet". That is key, But Roblox and Steam will be included inevitably as it is in the UK.

It only affects platforms thats primary purpose is social media, steam is primarily a gaming platform with the social media features being secondary. It’s more for platforms that spread extremist content to children like tiktok, Reddit etc and has nothing to do with gaming.

Give it a few years.