Australia announces social media ban for kids under 16

In a world-first move, the Australian government has announced a sweeping social media ban for children under 16, with YouTube now on the list.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement saying, “Protecting kids online means taking on some tough problems, so we’re banning social media accounts for under-16s. The way these platforms are built can harm children while they’re still finding their own way.”

He also mentioned the names of three young teens who had lost their lives in social media-related incidents: Ollie, Liv and Tilly.

“YouTube is not social media,” claimed the platform in a statement earlier this week. However, Australia isn’t buying it.

After weeks of pushback from tech giants like Meta and Snapchat, who claim that YouTube functions similarly to their own platforms with algorithmic feeds, interactive tools, and comment sections, YouTube joins a growing list of popular social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat) which have all been banned for users under 16.

The ban, which is set to roll out later this year, requires tech companies to deactivate existing underage accounts, prevent new ones from being created, and fix any workarounds or risk fines of up to A$50 million (US$32.5 million). Teenagers will still be able to view YouTube content, but they won’t be able to interact, comment, or post without an account.

Online gaming, messaging apps, education, and health-related tools are exempted from the legislation, as officials say they carry “fewer social media harms.”