Australia has extended its groundbreaking social media ban for kids under 16 to include YouTube—a major shift that targets one of the most widely used platforms among young Australians.
Starting December 10, anyone under 16 will be blocked from creating YouTube accounts. The platform now joins TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) on the banned list for minors.
The move follows a push from Julie Inman Grant, the country’s eSafety Commissioner, who recommended the ban after reviewing data showing high exposure to harmful content. According to a government survey, 75% of Australian kids aged 10 to 15 use YouTube, and over a third of those who encountered harmful material online saw it there.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed the decision, saying,
“We know that social media is doing social harm. My government and this parliament are ready to take action to protect young Australians.”
Kids under 16 will still be able to watch YouTube videos without an account, but they won’t be able to comment, subscribe, or receive personalized content.
YouTube isn’t happy. The company argues that it’s a video-sharing site, not a social network, and initially avoided the ban because of its educational and health content. In a statement, YouTube said,
“Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video-sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content. It’s not social media.”
The platform also hinted that legal action might be on the table as it reviews its options.
Public opinion, however, seems to support the government’s stance. A national poll found that 9 in 10 Australians want stricter age checks for minors using online platforms.
With this latest move, Australia is doubling down on its role as a global leader in online child safety regulation—setting a precedent other countries may soon follow.
