Australia is set to introduce sweeping new laws that will bar children under the age of 16 from creating accounts on YouTube, as part of a broader push to shield young people from harmful online content and algorithm-driven recommendations.
Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the plan on Wednesday, citing concerning statistics that show nearly 40% of Australian children have encountered harmful content on YouTube — one of the world’s most visited websites.
“We want children to discover who they are on their own terms, not through the lens of manipulative online algorithms,” Wells said in a statement. “While social media has its place, targeting children with predatory algorithms does not.”
The move is part of a larger legislative effort that began last year, which includes restricting access to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) for users under 16.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reinforced the government’s commitment, declaring that under-16s will not be allowed to hold accounts on YouTube or any of the aforementioned platforms. “We’re doing this to support Australian families. Parents should feel confident that we’re taking steps to protect their children online,” he said.
Albanese acknowledged the challenge of perfect enforcement, comparing it to existing age restrictions on alcohol, but insisted it was “the right course of action.”
In response, YouTube pushed back on the classification, insisting that it is not a social media platform but a video-sharing service increasingly accessed via television. “This is a surprising reversal by the government,” a YouTube spokesperson said. “Our platform offers free, high-quality content — we are not a social media network.”
Although the ban, which takes effect on December 10, is among the toughest globally, critics have questioned its enforceability. The legislation currently lacks clarity on how age verification will be implemented or how compliance will be monitored.
Social media companies, facing fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (US\$32 million) for violations, have labelled the new laws as “vague,” “rushed,” and “problematic.”
TikTok has criticized the move for disregarding input from youth safety and mental health experts, while Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, warned that the ban could place undue pressure on both parents and teenagers.
Nonetheless, Australia’s proposal is drawing international attention as other governments consider similar measures to regulate minors’ access to digital platforms.
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