Australia’s upcoming social media ban for under-16s has been criticized by YouTube, with the company denouncing the laws as “rushed” and arguing they will make children less safe online. From December 10, users under 16 will be banned from popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The ban aims to shield young users from “predatory algorithms,” but YouTube claims it will have the opposite effect.
YouTube’s public policy manager, Rachel Lord, stated that the law “will not fulfil its promise to make kids safer online” and will instead make Australian kids less safe on the platform. The company has expressed concerns that the ban misunderstands its platform and how young Australians use it. YouTube believes in protecting kids in the digital world, not from it.
The ban will result in all Australian users under 16 being automatically signed out on December 10, using the ages linked to their Google accounts. Underage users can still visit the website without an account, but they will lose access to features such as “wellbeing settings” and “safety filters.” YouTube will archive accounts, allowing them to be reactivated when users turn 16, and will not delete or remove any existing content or data.
Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells has responded to YouTube’s criticism, calling it “outright weird.” She argued that if YouTube is acknowledging that its platform is not safe for age-restricted users, it is a problem that the company needs to fix. The Australian government has conceded that the ban will not be perfect at the outset and that some underage users may fall through the cracks.
The ban is part of a global effort to regulate social media and protect young users from potential dangers. Regulators around the world are watching Australia’s approach, which includes fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million) for platforms that fail to comply. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has already started deactivating accounts based on age information. An internet rights group has launched a legal challenge to halt the ban, arguing that it is an unfair assault on freedom of speech.
The effectiveness of Australia’s sweeping restrictions remains to be seen, but the move highlights the ongoing debate about social media regulation and the need to balance online safety with freedom of expression. As the ban comes into effect, it will be closely monitored by regulators, tech companies, and advocacy groups worldwide.