It’s official: Australia Bans YouTube Accounts for Kids Under 16

The Australian Government has announced tonight that it will take the advice of the eSafety Commissioner and include YouTube as part of the broad group of “Social Media” apps banned for kids under 16 from December this year.

It’s a huge announcement for the Government, coming just days after Google threatened to take their case for exclusion to the High Court – it seems the Minister has chosen to call their bluff, announcing that “YouTube will be included in its world-leading under-16 social media laws”.

Put simply, from December 10th this year, “all services that meet the definition of ‘age-restricted social media platform’ in the Act, and are not excluded in the rules, will be subject to the social media minimum age law.”

Broadly speaking, social media is defined as services that allow users to interact with and post material – of course YouTube meets this definition.

Prime Minsiter Anthony Albanese says “Our Government is making it clear – we stand on the side of families.

“Social media has a social responsibility and there is no doubt that Australian kids are being negatively impacted by online platforms so I’m calling time on it.

“Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.”

This is all about letting kids avoid the algorithms that define what you see, and create profiles of users that might live on well into their teenage and adult years. Minister for Communications Anika Wells says “We want kids to know who they are before platforms assume who they are.”

“There’s a place for social media, but there’s not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”

Admitting, “There is no one perfect solution when it comes to keeping young Australians safer online – but the social media minimum age will make a significantly positive difference to their wellbeing. 

Platforms that do not take reasonable steps to prevent underage users creating accounts will face penalties of up to $49.5 million.

What about YouTube Kids?

Relax, YouTube kids does not require a child to have an account, and it also does not allow comments and engagement, thus, it’s not actually part of the Ban. So parents of younger kids will be ok – YouTube kids is fine.

YouTube kids is mainly used by kids aged 8 or 9 and under, the real risk for kids aged 8-13 and others might argue 13-16 also, is YouTube Shorts, a short form video area of YouTube that mimics the performance and features of TikTok and likewise Instagram Reels. That’s the real danger for kids.

But my Kids Teachers use YouTube in class, for Education

Again, Relax.

Kids are not allowed to have accounts. That doesn’t mean they can’t watch YouTube videos. Anyone with a computer can go to YouTube and not sign in, you just can’t get recommendations, or comment on videos and upload your own content.

This means that teachers and tutors can share YouTube links with their classes or students and there’s no issue with the videos being watched – by anyone, of any age.