Australia Adds YouTube to Teen Social Media Ban, Citing Harmful Content Exposure
Australia has expanded its world-first teen social media ban to include YouTube, reversing a previous exemption for the Alphabet-owned platform. The move, announced on Wednesday, comes amid growing concerns about the negative impact of digital platforms on children and mounting pressure from internet regulators and educators.
The law, which will take effect in December 2025, prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from creating or managing an account on designated social media platforms, now including YouTube.
Government Reverses YouTube Exemption After Regulator Report
The reversal follows a recent report from Australia’s internet safety regulator, citing that 37% of minors reported harmful content on YouTube—the highest rate among all social platforms surveyed. This finding prompted officials to include YouTube alongside Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, all of which are already covered by the legislation. “I’m calling time on it,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, emphasising the government’s commitment to supporting Australian parents. “We want parents to know that we have their backs.”
YouTube Responds: “We’re Not a Social Media Platform”
In response, YouTube maintains it is a video-sharing platform, not a social media network. A company spokesperson stated: “YouTube is a video-sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It’s not social media.”
YouTube also expressed disappointment in the decision, having previously been exempted due to its popularity in education and use by teachers. The company had written to the government requesting that the exemption be maintained and reportedly threatened legal action, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Legal Threats and Policy Enforcement
Communications Minister Anika Wells dismissed legal intimidation from tech firms, stating: “I will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the well-being of Australian kids.”
The legislation, passed in November 2024, requires social media platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent users under 16 from accessing their services, or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (~US$33 million).
Enforcement: Age Checks and Future Regulation
The government is currently reviewing age verification technology trials, with a final report expected later this month. These findings will guide the enforcement of the new restrictions and help platforms adopt reliable tools for age gating.
Angela Falkenberg, president of the Australian Primary Principals Association, voiced support for the inclusion of YouTube: “Teachers are always curators of any resource for appropriateness and will be judicious.”
AI Misinformation and Big Tech Accountability
Experts like Adam Marre, CISO at cybersecurity firm Arctic Wolf, noted the rise of AI-driven misinformation as a key reason for tighter regulation: “The Australian government’s move to regulate YouTube is an important step in pushing back against the unchecked power of big tech and protecting kids.”
This policy echoes earlier tensions between Australia and Alphabet, when Google threatened to pull services over a 2021 law requiring it to compensate news publishers for content use.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube is now included in Australia’s under-16 social media ban.
- Law takes effect December 2025, requiring age restrictions and platform compliance.
- Harmful content reports from minors on YouTube triggered the reversal.
- Legal tensions are likely to rise between the Australian government and Alphabet.
- Enforcement pending results of age-checking technology trials.
