YouTube will now be included in Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under 16, following the government’s decision to remove a previous exemption for the platform.
The ban, which will take effect in December, covers major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat. Initially, YouTube had been set to avoid restrictions, but this exemption has now been revoked.
Under the new policy, teenagers will still be able to watch YouTube videos without logging in but will be prohibited from holding an account — a requirement for uploading content or engaging with the platform’s community features.
YouTube, owned by Google, had argued against its inclusion, maintaining that the platform “offers benefit and value to younger Australians” and asserting, “It’s not social media,” in a statement released on Wednesday.
Australia’s groundbreaking legislation is attracting international attention. Norway has already announced similar measures, while the United Kingdom has indicated it may follow suit.
“Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Wednesday. “We know this is not the only solution, but it will make a difference.”
Last month, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, recommended adding YouTube to the ban after identifying it as “the most frequently cited platform” where children aged 10 to 15 reported encountering “harmful content.”
In response to Wednesday’s announcement, a YouTube spokesperson said the company would “consider next steps” and “continue to engage” with the government.
Australian media outlets previously reported that Google had considered legal action should YouTube be included in the restrictions, arguing that the measure could impede political freedom.
Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized that while social media has a role in modern life, “there is no place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”
She likened efforts to protect children online to “teaching your kids to swim in the open ocean with rips and sharks compared to at the local council pool,” adding: “We can’t control the ocean, but we can police the sharks — and that is why we will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the wellbeing of Australian kids.”
Exemptions to the ban will apply to online gaming, messaging, education, and health apps, which the government considers to pose “fewer social media harms to under-16s,” Wells said.
Under the law, technology companies could face fines of up to A$50 million (US$32.5 million; £25.7 million) for failing to comply. They will be required to deactivate existing accounts for minors, prevent the creation of new accounts, block workarounds, and correct enforcement errors.
Further details on the implementation of the ban are expected to be presented to federal parliament on Wednesday.
