E-Ban: Australia Outlaws YouTube Accounts for Under-16s

The Australian government has announced that YouTube will be among the social media platforms required to ensure account holders are at least 16-years-old from December, reversing a previous position taken on the popular video-sharing service.

YouTube was previously listed as an exemption when the Parliament passed world-first laws banning Australian children younger than 16 from platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X.

Communications Minister Anika Wells released rules defining which online services are considered “age-restricted social media platforms” and which do not require age verification. The age restrictions take effect on December 10 and platforms will face fines of up to $33 million for failing to exclude underage account holders.

"The evidence cannot be ignored that four out of 10 Australian kids report that their most recent harm was on YouTube," Wells said, referring to government research. "We will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the wellbeing of Australian kids."

Children will still be able to access YouTube but will not be allowed to have their own YouTube accounts.

"We share the government's goal of addressing and reducing online harms. Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It's not social media,"

a YouTube statement said, noting it will consider next steps and engage with the government.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would campaign at a United Nations forum in September for international support for banning children from social media.

"I know from the discussions I've had with other leaders that they are looking at this and they are considering what impact social media is having on young people in their respective nations," Albanese said. "It is a common experience. This is not an Australian experience."