Australia has announced it will include YouTube in its upcoming social media ban for teenagers, reversing a previous decision to exempt the platform. The move, set to take effect in December, comes after a government internet regulator pushed for the change, citing survey results showing that 37% of minors encountered harmful content on YouTube—the highest among social platforms.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting children online. “I’m calling time on it,” he said. “I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.”
The updated law will prevent individuals under 16 from creating YouTube accounts. However, parents and teachers will still be allowed to share content with children. The decision expands the scope of a world-first law that already includes platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc., opposed the change, arguing it is a video-sharing platform, not social media. “YouTube is increasingly viewed on TV screens and provides a library of free, high-quality content,” a spokesperson said.
Other platforms have long objected to YouTube’s previous exemption, pointing out it shares core features with social media—such as content recommendation algorithms and interactive user features.
The Australian Primary Principals Association welcomed the inclusion of YouTube, stressing that teachers remain responsible for evaluating content appropriateness in classrooms.
Cybersecurity experts also support the move. “Artificial intelligence has accelerated the spread of misinformation online, and this step helps rein in the unchecked influence of big tech,” said Adam Marre, Chief Information Security Officer at Arctic Wolf.
YouTube has reportedly considered a legal challenge to the decision and has urged the government to maintain a fair legislative process. The platform previously threatened to pull services from Australia in 2021 over laws requiring tech companies to pay news publishers.
However, Communications Minister Anika Wells was firm in her stance: “I will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the well-being of Australian kids.”
Under the law, platforms that fail to take “reasonable steps” to block under-16 users may face fines of up to A$49.5 million.
