Australia will ban children from YouTube under new social media laws to protect minors from predatory algorithms and harmful content, starting December 10

Australia has announced it will ban children from YouTube under landmark social media laws aimed at shielding minors from what officials describe as “predatory algorithms”.

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The decision, confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells, marks a significant expansion of Australia’s efforts to regulate children’s access to online platforms.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said four-in-ten Australian children had reported viewing harmful content on YouTube, one of the most visited websites globally.

“We want kids to know who they are before platforms assume who they are,” Wells said in a statement.

“There’s a place for social media, but there’s not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”

The proposed law will prevent anyone under 16 from creating accounts on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).

Previously, the government had suggested that YouTube might be exempt due to its use in educational settings, but it now appears the video-sharing giant will be included in the ban.

“Young people under the age of 16 will not be able to have accounts on YouTube,” Prime Minister Albanese said. “We want Australian parents and families to know that we have got their back.”

While the government admitted that age restrictions may be difficult to enforce completely — much like existing laws around alcohol or tobacco — Albanese stressed that the legislation sends a vital message and is “still the right thing to do.”

However, YouTube responded critically to the announcement, calling it a “jarring U-turn” and defending its platform as distinct from social media.

“Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens,” the company said. “It’s not social media.”

On paper, the ban is among the strictest globally. But the current version of the law lacks detailed enforcement mechanisms, raising questions about its practicality.

The legislation is scheduled to take effect on December 10, and platforms that fail to comply could face fines of up to Aus $49.5 million (US $32 million).

Social media firms have pushed back, with TikTok labelling the legislation “vague” and “rushed,” and accusing the government of sidelining youth and mental health experts.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, warned the policy could put “an onerous burden on parents and teens.”

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International observers are watching closely, as Australia’s approach may set a precedent for other countries seeking to implement similar protections for young internet users.