YouTube is now covered by Australia’s new law that prohibits children under 16 from creating social media accounts. The government justifies the decision by stating that the platform has contributed to harm among young users.
It was during 2024 that the Australian government proposed a law establishing a minimum age limit for social media. A large portion of young people in the country use social media, and the proposal was part of an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into its impact on society, which among other things points to the negative psychological effects of social media on teenagers. The bill was passed in November 2024.
The law essentially means that children under 16 will not be allowed access to social media, but will not apply to those who already have an account on any platform. This includes TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X and also the forum Reddit. The intention was that YouTube, Messenger Kids, WhatsApp and Google Classroom would be exempted from the ban due to their health or educational purposes.
“Harmful”
Now the government has changed course and is also including YouTube in the ban, reports AP News. The decision is based on studies showing that the platform can be harmful to young people.
— The evidence cannot be ignored that four out of 10 Australian kids report that their most recent harm was on YouTube, says Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
According to reports, Google, which owns YouTube, has reacted with threats to sue the government. Children will, however, still be able to watch videos, but not have their own accounts.
First law of its kind
It will be the platforms’ responsibility to ensure that children do not register. In case of violations, companies can be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars, equivalent to approximately €28 million.
The law is the first of its kind globally, but France, Norway and the United Kingdom are also considering similar age limits. It takes effect in December 2025.
