Australia Expands Under-16 Social Media Ban to YouTube

Australia has expanded its pioneering law banning social media use for children under 16 to include YouTube, reversing an earlier exemption for the platform. Starting December 2025, children will be prohibited from creating accounts, commenting, or uploading content on YouTube, although they can still watch videos. The decision followed a recommendation from Australia's eSafety Commissioner, citing that 37% of minors reported encountering harmful content on YouTube, the highest among social media platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government's commitment to protecting children from social media harm and assured parents of support, while Communications Minister Anika Wells highlighted the need to prevent predatory algorithms targeting youth. YouTube, owned by Alphabet, maintains that it is a video-sharing platform, not social media, and expressed concerns over the ban's impact on political freedoms; however, tech companies face fines up to 50 million Australian dollars if they fail to comply. Similar bans are being considered or implemented in countries like Norway and the UK, reflecting growing international concern over children’s online safety.