Australia’s upcoming ban on social‑media use for anyone under 16 has drawn sharp criticism from YouTube, which calls the legislation “rushed” and argues it will make children less safe online. The law, set to take effect on 10 December, will bar users under 16 from major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. While the ban is intended to protect young people from “predatory algorithms,” YouTube contends it will have the opposite effect.
Rachel Lord, YouTube’s public policy manager, said the law “will not fulfil its promise to make kids safer online” and will instead leave Australian children more vulnerable on the platform. The company argues that the ban misinterprets how its service is used by young Australians and stresses that its goal is to protect kids within the digital world, not to exclude them from it.
Under the new rules, all Australian users under 16 will be automatically signed out on 10 December, based on the ages linked to their Google accounts. Under‑age users may still visit the site without an account, but they will lose access to features such as “wellbeing settings” and “safety filters.” YouTube will archive these accounts, allowing them to be reactivated when the users turn 16, and it will not delete any existing content or data.
Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells responded to YouTube’s criticism by calling it “outright weird,” arguing that if the platform admits it is not safe for age‑restricted users, the company must address the problem. The government acknowledges that the ban will not be perfect initially and that some under‑age users may slip through the cracks.
The measure is part of a broader global push to regulate social media and protect young users from potential harms. Regulators worldwide are watching Australia’s approach, which includes fines of up to AU$49.5 million (US$32 million) for non‑compliant platforms. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has already begun deactivating accounts based on age data. An internet‑rights group has filed a legal challenge, claiming the ban unfairly attacks freedom of speech.
The effectiveness of Australia’s sweeping restrictions remains to be seen, but the initiative underscores the ongoing debate over social‑media regulation and the need to balance online safety with freedom of expression. As the ban takes effect, it will be closely monitored by regulators, tech companies and advocacy groups around the world.
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