Australia includes YouTube in youth social media ban to protect under-16s from online harm

Australia has expanded its groundbreaking ban on social media use for children under 16 to now include YouTube, reversing an earlier decision that exempted the platform. Starting December 2025, minors will be allowed to watch YouTube videos but will be prohibited from having accounts, which are necessary for uploading content and interacting on the platform. The government justified this decision citing research that identified YouTube as the most frequently cited platform where children aged 10 to 15 encounter harmful content. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting children from social media harms, while YouTube argued it is primarily a video sharing platform, not social media, and expressed concerns about the ban. The law will allow fines up to A$50 million for companies that fail to comply with the restrictions, compelling tech firms to deactivate existing accounts and block new ones for under-16 users. Exemptions will apply to online gaming, messaging, education, and health apps, which are considered less harmful. The ban is part of a world-first legislative effort to reduce online harm among youth and is attracting global attention as other countries consider similar measures.