Australia has banned children aged under 16 from holding YouTube accounts as part of incoming social media restrictions. A social media ban passed last year had included the video-sharing platform, citing its role in children’s entertainment and education.
However, in a shock move, the law has now been extended to include teenagers accessing the site. YouTube’s parent, Alphabet, has warned that it will consider bringing legal action over the site’s inclusion.
The legislation, passed in the country’s Senate last November, is aimed at preventing individuals under 16 from registering to join a swathe of social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram and X. The law means that technology companies have to enforce an age limit for Australian users, or face heavy fines totalling up to A$50mn ($33mn).
The sweeping social media ban is to become a world-first law, and proponents have argued that it will protect young people from dangers posed online. It received bipartisan support, with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, saying he believes the move will push his country to the forefront of efforts to guard children from the negative effects of social media linked to wellbeing and mental health.
YouTube, as a video-sharing service, rather than a social media company, had argued it was exempt, however Australia’s eSafety Commissioner said last month that YouTube should be included in the ban. It followed research which showed that YouTube was the platform most cited by children when asked where they had encountered harmful content.
Alphabet has been in correspondence with the Australian government to warn that it is considering its legal position in light of the news.