Australia has confirmed that YouTube will be included in its upcoming ban on social media accounts for children under 16, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the platform.
The move marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to online safety and positions Australia as a global leader in regulating children's use of digital platforms.
Initially set to be left out of the sweeping restrictions, YouTube will now be subject to the same rules as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Snapchat under the ban that is expected to take effect in December.
While teenagers will still be able to watch videos on YouTube, they will no longer be allowed to create accounts, upload content, or interact with others on the site.
The decision follows recommendations made by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who last month advised the government to include YouTube in the ban. She cited the platform as "the most frequently cited" source of harmful content among children aged 10 to 15 years.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the broader restrictions, stating, “Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.” He acknowledged the ban is not a total solution but insisted, “It will make a difference.”
YouTube, owned by Google, has opposed its inclusion, maintaining that it does not fall under the category of social media. In a statement issued Wednesday, the company said its platform “offers benefit and value to younger Australians” and added, “It’s not social media.”
The platform responded to the latest announcement by saying it would “consider next steps” and “continue to engage” with the government. Reports had surfaced last week in Australian media that Google was considering legal action, warning that such a ban could interfere with political freedoms.
However, Communications Minister Anika Wells dismissed the pressure, stating, “We will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the wellbeing of Australian kids.” She stressed the urgency of action, likening efforts to shield children online to “trying to teach your kids to swim in the open ocean with the rips and the sharks compared to at the local council pool.”
“There’s a place for social media,” she said, “but there’s not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”
The upcoming restrictions will not cover all online services. Exemptions will include messaging, education, health apps, and online gaming platforms, which the government says pose fewer risks to young users.
Companies that fail to comply with the new age restrictions face penalties of up to A$50 million. They will be required to remove existing underage accounts, prevent the creation of new ones, and block any workarounds or breaches.
The government is expected to provide further details on how the ban will be implemented when it presents the measures to federal parliament.