Australia announced that YouTube would be included in its planned social media restrictions for children under 16, reversing an earlier exemption for the Google-owned video platform. The rules were due to take effect in December and already covered TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and Snapchat.
The change does not amount to a complete block on YouTube viewing. Teenagers will still be able to watch videos without signing in, but they will not be permitted to hold accounts. An account is needed to upload material or interact with other users, so the policy targets participation and personalized platform use rather than access to every video.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the measure as part of a broader effort to reduce online harm to children. He acknowledged that an account ban would not solve every problem associated with social media, while arguing that it could still make a meaningful difference for families.
The decision followed advice from Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant. Her office found that YouTube was the platform most frequently named by children aged 10 to 15 who reported encountering harmful content. Communications Minister Anika Wells also focused on recommendation systems, saying there was no place for algorithms that prey on children.
YouTube disputed the government’s classification. The company said the service provides value to younger Australians and argued that it should not be treated as social media. After the announcement, a spokesperson said YouTube would consider its next steps and continue discussions with the government. Australian media had previously reported that Google was considering legal action if the exemption was removed, including an argument that inclusion could restrict political freedom.
Platforms covered by the law will be expected to deactivate existing accounts held by under-16s, prevent new ones from being opened, address attempts to evade the restrictions and correct mistakes. Companies that fail to comply can face penalties of as much as A$50 million. Gaming, messaging, education and health applications are among the categories expected to remain outside the ban because the government considers them to present fewer social-media risks for children.
Australia’s approach is being watched abroad. Norway has announced a similar policy, while the United Kingdom has said it is considering comparable action. The Australian rules will provide an early test of whether account-level age restrictions can be enforced across major global services without cutting young people off from useful public content. Enforcement details presented to parliament would determine how platforms identify affected users, handle errors and prevent account workarounds.
