Twitch is making a major change for its younger users in Australia. From now on, anyone under the age of 16 cannot create a new Twitch account. Moreover, Twitch will deactivate all existing accounts of users under 16 by January 9, 2026. This change comes as part of Australia's new online safety laws aimed at protecting minors on social media and streaming platforms. The government wants to keep young users safe online. Platforms like Twitch must now check the age of users before giving full access. For Australian teens who are already on Twitch, this means that if they are under 16, they will lose the ability to stream, chat, follow channels, or manage subscriptions. However, they can still watch Twitch streams without logging in. To follow the law, Twitch and other platforms may use tools like photo ID checks, facial age estimation, or digital ID tokens to verify age. They are also encouraged to provide privacy-friendly options so young users do not have to share too much personal information. This rule is part of Australia's bigger plan to protect youth from risks like cyberbullying and mental health issues linked to social media. Studies show that exposure to online platforms without limits can increase anxiety, depression, and body image problems among teens. Twitch is not the only service affected; other social media platforms are also adjusting to these rules, though the impact varies. For now, under-16 users in Australia will have to pause streaming and lose access to their channels and earnings until they turn 16 and pass Twitch’s age checks. While this may be frustrating, it's a temporary step. Once they meet the age requirements, they can return to full Twitch use. Australia’s new regulation shows strong commitment to safer internet use. Twitch is working to create a safer environment for young users. For young streamers, this is just a brief pause, not the end of their streaming dreams.