Australia YouTube Ban Under 16: What You Need to Know
Australia YouTube Ban Under 16: What You Need to Know
Starting from December 10, 2025, the Australian government will enforce a new regulation that blocks children under the age of 16 from creating or owning YouTube accounts. This decision is part of a broader update to the country’s Online Safety Act. With this change, YouTube joins other major platforms—such as Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram—that are already restricted for users under 16.
At first, YouTube was excluded from the age restriction law on social media introduced in 2024, mainly because of its educational benefits and frequent use in classrooms. But by mid-2025, new findings from the eSafety Commissioner revealed that YouTube was the most commonly used platform among Australian teens aged 13 to 15, with 73% using it regularly. Even more concerning, it topped the list for exposing young users to harmful material, such as content related to self-harm, online harassment, misogynistic views, and unhealthy eating habits. Following this report, the government chose to revoke YouTube’s exemption and implement the minimum age restriction on the platform in Australia.
According to the new regulation, individuals under the age of 16 will be restricted from logging in, posting videos, commenting, liking content, or creating playlists on YouTube. However, they will still have access to publicly available videos without needing to sign in. This restriction does not apply to YouTube Kids, a platform tailored for younger audiences that offers strong parental controls and excludes any social interaction features.
Here are the key highlights of the new social media law Australia 2025:
- YouTube accounts will be restricted to users aged 16 and above
- Platforms must implement strict age verification measures, including ID verification or AI-based facial age estimation
- Companies found violating the rule may face fines up to A$49.5 million
- YouTube Kids remains available for children under 16
- Rollout begins on 10 December 2025
This decision has sparked mixed reactions. Government officials including PM Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells support the move, stating it’s necessary to ensure online safety and reduce the mental health risks caused by social media. They argue that all platforms must comply equally with child safety online policies in Australia. On the other hand, tech companies like Google (which owns YouTube) have criticized the decision. YouTube claims it is primarily a video-sharing platform, not social media, and hinted at a potential legal challenge. Industry competitors like Meta and TikTok welcomed the government’s move, stating that the previous YouTube exemption was unfair.
The law has also raised concerns about how age verification for YouTube accounts in Australia will be implemented. Many fear that privacy might be compromised if strict ID or facial recognition checks become mandatory for everyone. The government has assured that data privacy will be respected and technologies will be trialed before full enforcement.
To sum up, Australia’s decision to ban YouTube for users under 16 represents a significant step in the evolution of global internet policy. This bold move could pave the way for similar regulations in other nations. As concerns around online safety grow worldwide, Australia is positioning itself at the forefront by implementing a law that prevents minors from having YouTube accounts. Whether this sets a global precedent or leads to legal disputes, one thing is clear: governments are starting to take control and are no longer leaving the rules for children’s online experiences solely in the hands of tech companies.