Starting December 10, children under 16 years of age in Australia will no longer be allowed to use YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X. This is part of a tougher social media policy that began last year.
Australia Adds YouTube to Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that YouTube will now be added to the list of banned platforms for kids under 16.
He said, “Young people under the age of 16 will not be able to have accounts on YouTube… We want Australian parents and families to know that we have got their back.”
He admitted that the ban is not a complete solution but called it an important step to reduce the harm caused by social media on children.
Why the Ban?
Communications Minister Anika Wells said 40% of children in Australia have seen harmful content on YouTube.
She explained that the ban is meant to help kids develop their identities before platforms and algorithms start influencing them.
Wells added, “We want kids to know who they are before platforms assume who they are.” She said social media has its role, but it shouldn’t use algorithms that target kids in harmful ways.
Fines for Non-Compliance
YouTube was initially not included in the under-16 ban, but it has now been added alongside other major platforms.
If companies like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X don’t block underage users, they could face fines of A$49.5 million (around $32.2 million USD).
YouTube Responds
YouTube called the decision an unexpected reversal. A spokesperson said, “Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens.”
YouTube argues that it is different from traditional social media, and should not be grouped with platforms like Facebook or TikTok.
Background of the Ban
Australia started working on social media age limits in September last year. The government said it wanted to introduce a minimum age for children on social media, though no official number was confirmed. Most expected the age limit would be between 14 and 16.
Digital rights groups have opposed the ban, saying it could go too far and may not help stop harmful online behavior.
But Prime Minister Albanese said his government will move forward with age-based rules after age verification trials.
