US EditionAustralia bans YouTube accounts for children under 16 in reversal of previous stance
AUSTRALIA, JUL 30 – The ban aims to protect children from harmful content and predatory algorithms, with platforms facing fines up to AUD 49.5 million for non-compliance, officials said.
- The Albanese government decided to include YouTube in its social media ban for Australians under 16, effective December 10 this year.
- The ban follows advice from eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant and concerns over harmful content exposure on YouTube, which was previously exempted.
- The legislation limits access to major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Snapchat for under-16 users, excludes categories such as online gaming, messaging, education, and health applications, and enforces penalties of up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance.
- Prime Minister Albanese stated, "we stand on the side of families" and called time on social media harms to children, while YouTube vowed to "consider next steps" and continue engaging with the government.
- The inclusion of YouTube has sparked controversy and legal threats from Google, highlighting ongoing debates about protecting children and balancing platform responsibilities.
234 Articles
234 Articles
Australia Does a 180 on YouTube Access for Kids
The Australian government announced that YouTube will be among the social media platforms that must ensure account holders are at least 16, reversing a position taken months ago on the popular video-sharing service. YouTube was listed as an exemption in November last year when the Parliament passed world-first laws that...
Australia Adds YouTube To Under‑16 Social Media Ban From December
Is YouTube really just a video platform? Australia doesn’t think so anymore.In a bold update to its under-16 social media ban, the Australian government has now included YouTube—ditching an earlier plan to let the platform slide. Starting December, kids under 16 won’t be allowed to hold accounts on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, or Snapchat. They can still watch videos, but uploading or commenting? Off-limits.YouTube, owned by Google, …
No YouTube for under-16s as Australia broadens social media ban
Australia said on Wednesday it will add YouTube to sites covered by its world-first ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the Alphabet-owned video-sharing site and potentially setting up a legal challenge. The decision came after the internet regulator urged the government last month to overturn the YouTube carve-out, citing a survey that found 37% of minors reported harmful content on the site, the worst sho…
Australia is also going to ban YouTube for teenagers under sixteen. YouTube's parent company is protesting, saying the platform isn't a social media platform, but a video platform.
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