Sydney, July 31: Australia will include YouTube in its sweeping new social media ban for children under 16, the government said on Wednesday, marking a shift in its position after previously planning to exempt the video platform.
Under the legislation — set to take effect in December — children will be prohibited from holding social media accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), and now YouTube. Teens under 16 will still be able to watch YouTube videos but won’t be allowed to create accounts, upload content, or interact on the platform.
“YouTube is social media, and it has the same harms,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, defending the decision. “Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.”
The move follows a recommendation by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who noted that YouTube was the most frequently cited platform where children aged 10 to 15 encountered harmful content.
YouTube, owned by Google, had argued that it shouldn’t be included in the ban, stating the platform offers educational value and should not be considered social media. The company said Wednesday it would “consider next steps” and “continue to engage” with the government.
The platform’s inclusion comes despite reports that Google had warned of legal action if YouTube were not exempted, citing concerns over political freedom and censorship.
Communications Minister Anika Wells dismissed the pressure. “We will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the wellbeing of Australian kids,” she said. “There’s not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”
Wells likened the current state of the internet to an uncontrolled environment: “Trying to protect children online is like teaching your kids to swim in the open ocean with rips and sharks.” Exemptions to the ban will include apps used for online gaming, messaging, education, and health, which the government said pose fewer social harms to children.
Tech companies found in breach of the rules could face penalties of up to A$50 million ($32.5 million). They will be required to deactivate underage accounts, block the creation of new ones, prevent circumvention attempts, and correct any compliance failures.
More details on the implementation of the legislation will be tabled in federal parliament later on Wednesday. The policy is being closely watched by international regulators, with Norway already planning a similar measure and the UK considering comparable steps.
