Australia Adds YouTube To Under-16 Social Media Ban In Major Policy Shift

 

Australia has formally decided to include YouTube in its upcoming social media restrictions for children under 16, reversing an earlier pledge to exclude the platform. The decision aligns YouTube with other major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and X under new legislation set to take effect in December.

The law requires platforms to actively prevent users under 16 from creating accounts or face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (around $32 million USD).

YouTube Now on the Hook

Owned by Alphabet, YouTube had previously been considered by the Australian government as an educational tool rather than a traditional social media platform. However, that exemption was scrapped following new data from the eSafety Commission showing 37% of surveyed children reported encountering harmful content on YouTube.

That content includes hate speech, sexist or misogynistic videos, dangerous challenges, or material promoting disordered eating.

“YouTube uses the same persuasive design features as other social media platforms — infinite scroll, autoplay, algorithmic feeds,” said Communications Minister Anika Wells in Parliament. “Our kids don’t stand a chance.”

YouTube Kids, which doesn’t allow user uploads or comments, will remain exempt from the ban.

A Fight for Online Safety

Wells likened the dangers of unregulated digital spaces to letting children swim in open waters without protection. “We can’t control the ocean, but we can police the sharks,” she said. “That’s why I will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the well-being of Australian kids.”

Platforms including YouTube have pushed back. A YouTube spokesperson said the inclusion “reverses a clear, public commitment” from the government, adding that the company would consider its next steps while continuing discussions with policymakers.

Wells also revealed that YouTube had sent a representative from the Wiggles — a beloved Australian children’s entertainment group — to advocate for the platform. “But like I said to them, you’re arguing that my 4-year-old twins’ right to a YouTube login is more important than the fact that four out of ten of their peers will experience online harm on YouTube.”

Implementation and Challenges

The legislation passed last year included a 12-month buffer for the government to develop enforcement mechanisms. During that time, age assurance trials tested various verification technologies.

Findings from a June report concluded that age verification can be implemented in a private and effective way, but no one-size-fits-all solution currently exists. The report also warned of data privacy risks, with some platforms reportedly collecting more personal information than necessary.

Critics argue the law could hurt isolated or vulnerable children who use social media for support. Privacy advocates also worry about the data implications of stricter identity verification.

Wells acknowledged the challenges, saying the ban won’t be perfect. “Kids, God bless them, are going to find a way around this. Maybe they’re all going to swarm on LinkedIn. We don’t know.”

Industry Response

Platforms are promoting their efforts to protect young users. YouTube recently launched AI trials in the U.S. to identify underage users based on behavior patterns — such as the types of videos watched or searched — and limit their exposure to personalized ads and repetitive content.

TikTok has taken a different approach, placing ads on Facebook in Australia highlighting its value as a learning platform. “From fishing to chef skills, Aussie teens are learning something new every day on TikTok,” reads one promotional post.

Despite the pushback, the Australian government appears resolute. As Wells stated, “This is not just about apps. This is about protecting kids from harm in their digital lives — and that’s worth fighting for.”