YouTube bows to Australia's social media ban for children - amid protests

YouTube has outlined its approach to implementing the social media ban for children in Australia, which was decided in an expedited procedure at the end of 2024. YouTube accounts of Australian children under 16 will be automatically blocked next week, and they will no longer be able to log in. However, the Google subsidiary points out a glaring legal loophole. Children can still continue to use YouTube if they do not log in. This would undermine the control options of parents and the safety precautions of the video platform.

According to the Australian Social Media Minimum Age Act, YouTube is forced to exclude Australians under 16 from logging into the video platform. These individuals will be automatically logged out of their YouTube accounts on December 10, 2025, when platforms are required to implement their measures according to the law. This means these users will lose their subscriptions and playlists, as well as settings such as prompts for breaks or reminders for bedtime.

YouTube criticizes hastily passed law

Furthermore, parents will lose the ability to monitor their children's YouTube usage, as they will only be able to use the video platform without logging in. If underage Australians are active as content creators, they will no longer be able to upload videos and manage their channels, as these will no longer be visible. However, these YouTube accounts and channels will not be completely deleted, but can be reactivated upon reaching the age limit or in the event of legal changes.

At the same time, YouTube sharply criticizes the law, not only because of the loophole of unregistered video consumption. Google manager Rachel Lord, responsible for YouTube in Australia, explains in the Google blog that "this hastily enacted regulation misunderstands our platform and the way young Australians use it." The law, therefore, will not better protect children online, but will actually protect Australian children on YouTube less. YouTube wants to protect children within the digital world, not exclude them from it.

Fine of up to 28 million euros possible

Originally, Australia's social media ban for children concerned platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, and X (formerly Twitter). However, YouTube is now also included. YouTube Kids, like Discord, Messenger, Roblox, and WhatsApp, is still allowed. Corresponding YouTube accounts of minors can therefore continue to be used, allowing for supervised use, especially for young children.

However, YouTube has not yet introduced age verification in Australia. The video platform derives users' ages from their linked Google account and is investigating further possibilities to "implement and enforce appropriate age verification." According to the BBC, a violation of Australia's Social Media Minimum Age Act could result in a fine of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars, equivalent to around 28 million euros.

(fds)