Australia has officially expanded its world-first social media ban for children under the age of 16 to include YouTube, one of the most popular platforms among teens and preteens in the country.
Starting December 10, Australians under 16 will no longer be allowed to create YouTube accounts, joining a list of banned platforms that includes TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
The decision follows a recommendation from Julie Inman Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, who urged the government to include YouTube in the ban after reviewing data showing significant exposure to harmful content on the platform. A government survey found that three out of four children aged 10 to 15 in Australia use YouTube, and 37% of children who encountered harmful material online reported seeing it on the platform.
In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the expanded ban, stating:
“We know that social media is doing social harm. My government and this parliament are ready to take action to protect young Australians.”
Despite the move, children under 16 will still be able to view YouTube videos—they just won’t be allowed to create accounts, which limits interaction, subscriptions, and personalized content.
YouTube has pushed back against the classification, arguing that it is a video-sharing platform, not a social media network.
“Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video-sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content. “It’s not social media.” the company said in a statement
YouTube also emphasized its contributions to education and health, which initially exempted it from the ban, and added that it is "considering next steps," possibly including legal action.
Public sentiment appears largely in favor of tighter age controls. A national survey revealed that nine out of ten Australians support some form of age verification for minors on social platforms.
This expansion places Australia at the forefront of global efforts to regulate children's online activity, as governments around the world grapple with growing concerns about the mental health effects of digital platforms on young users.
