YouTube to be included in Australia's social media ban for children under 16
9 months ago
- #child protection
- #government policy
- #social media
- The Albanese Labor Government is including YouTube in its under-16 social media laws to protect young Australians.
- Age-restricted social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube, will face fines up to $49.5 million for failing to prevent underage users.
- The new rules exclude online gaming, messaging apps, and health/education services as they pose fewer harms to under-16s.
- From December 10, 2025, all qualifying age-restricted social media platforms must comply with the minimum age law.
- The government emphasizes social media's harmful impact on children and aims to support families and parents.
- Heavy penalties will be imposed on companies not taking reasonable steps to prevent underage access.