Australia: World’s First Country to Ban YouTube Accounts for Kids Under 16

In a significant policy shift, the Australian Government has announced that YouTube will be included in its under-16 social media account ban, reversing an earlier exemption. Starting December 10, 2025, children under the age of 16 will no longer be allowed to create or maintain YouTube accounts. This move aligns YouTube with other restricted platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) as part of Australia’s world-first social media reform for child safety.

Why Did Australia Ban YouTube for Kids Under 16?

Although YouTube was initially excluded from Australia's minimum age restrictions passed in late 2024, the government reversed its stance after receiving strong recommendations from the eSafety Commissioner.

The Commissioner reported that YouTube was the most frequently cited platform where children aged 10 to 15 encountered harmful content, including cyberbullying, graphic material, and inappropriate recommendations.

YouTube had argued that it is a video-sharing platform, not a social media app, stating that its content is educational and widely consumed on TV screens. However, the government concluded that YouTube’s interactive features—such as commenting, posting videos, live chats, and personal algorithmic recommendations—qualify it as a social media platform that poses similar risks to children.

What the New YouTube Ban Means for Children and Teens in Australia

Under the new regulation:

• Children under 16 will not be allowed to create or maintain YouTube accounts

• They will still be able to watch YouTube videos without logging in

• But they will be blocked from uploading videos, posting comments, and receiving personalized video suggestions

This decision aims to delay social media exposure and interaction until teenagers are more psychologically equipped to handle online pressures, algorithmic manipulation, and content moderation challenges.

Penalties for Non-Compliance: What Tech Companies Need to Know

From December 10, 2025, platforms identified as "age-restricted social media platforms" must comply with the new law. Failure to take “responsible steps” to exclude underage users can result in fines of up to A$50 million (about USD $33 million or £25.7 million).

These “responsible steps” include:

• Deactivating existing underage accounts

• Blocking new account registrations by users under 16

• Fixing loopholes and workarounds that allow age evasion

The Australian Government has not mandated the use of ID documents like passports or driver’s licenses. Instead, platforms are expected to adopt or develop age assurance technologies, which can analyze behavioral data and account history to verify age.

Platforms Affected and Platforms Exempt from the Social Media Age Ban

Platforms Affected by the Ban (Minimum Age: 16)

• YouTube

• TikTok

• Snapchat

• Instagram

• Facebook

• X (formerly Twitter)

• Any other platform that allows user interaction and content sharing

These are classified as "age-restricted social media platforms", defined as services that enable users to post content and interact socially, which makes them susceptible to online harms like:

• Addictive scrolling

• Harmful or graphic content exposure

• Cyberbullying

• Peer pressure

• Sleep interference and reduced life satisfaction

Platforms and Services Exempted from the Ban

According to the Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025, the following are not subject to the minimum age law:

• Online gaming platforms

• Messaging apps

• Health and fitness apps

• Educational services

These are excluded either due to lower risk profiles or because they are already regulated under separate legal frameworks.

Government Response to Legal Pushback and Industry Pressure

After reports surfaced that Google (YouTube’s parent company) had threatened legal action against the government over the policy shift, Communications Minister Anika Wells declared that the government would not be intimidated:

“We can’t control the ocean, but we can police the sharks,” she said, comparing the current online environment to trying to teach children to swim in an open sea full of dangers, rather than a supervised community pool.

Minister Wells also defended the decision by citing research showing that 4 out of 10 Australian children reported their most recent harmful online experience occurred on YouTube.

Australia Leads Globally on Social Media Regulation for Kids

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the new rules a “genuine fight for the wellbeing of Australian kids.” He also announced plans to champion international regulation efforts at an upcoming United Nations forum in New York this September, saying:

“This is not just an Australian experience. Leaders around the world are seeing how social media is harming children.”

Norway has already announced similar legislation, and the United Kingdom is considering following Australia’s lead.

What Parents, Schools, and Platforms Should Know

1. YouTube accounts will be banned for children under 16 in Australia starting December 10, 2025

2. Children can still view videos, but cannot comment, upload, or subscribe

3. Platforms face multi-million-dollar fines for failure to block underage access

4. The decision comes in response to strong evidence linking social media to mental health issues, addiction, and online harm

5. Australia’s actions are setting a potential global precedent in youth online safety

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