Australia Becomes First Country to Ban Social Media for Under-16s Including YouTube

In a sweeping and controversial move, Australia has become the first country in the world to ban anyone under the age of 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms including YouTube, after the video-sharing giant was added to the list of banned apps this week.

The bold crackdown, set to take effect by December 2025, will block underage users from accessing platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and now YouTube, unless the user is at least 16 years old.

Why the Ban?

The government says it’s acting in response to growing concerns about mental health, online harm, and tech addiction among teens.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said the decision to include YouTube came after new data revealed that nearly 40% of Australian children aged 10 to 15 experienced some form of harm on the platform, the highest rate among all apps surveyed.

“YouTube was the last major platform left out of the ban,” said Wells.

“But the evidence speaks for itself, the risks are real, and we’re acting on them.”

What’s Actually Changing?

Under the law:

Children under 16 will not be allowed to create accounts or use these platforms in any logged-in or personalized capacity.

Platforms will be legally required to verify user age and prevent underage access, or face penalties of up to A$50 million.

The ban covers TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X, Reddit, and YouTube.

Viewing YouTube videos will still be allowed without an account, but commenting, uploading, and recommendations will be disabled for under-16s.

What About Other Apps?

Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger, as well as education, health, and gaming apps, are not automatically banned. However, they must apply for exemptions and demonstrate they do not pose significant harm to children.

Pushback & Privacy Concerns

While many Australians support the move, with polls showing over 75% approval, critics warn that the law could backfire.

Privacy groups have raised alarms over age verification technologies, which may involve facial recognition, ID uploads, or third-party data brokers.

Some experts fear these tools could compromise children’s privacy or simply push them toward less-regulated platforms.

Tech companies are also preparing to fight back.

Google (YouTube’s parent company) and Meta (owner of Instagram and Facebook) are reportedly reviewing legal options, with some insiders warning that the rollout timeline is unrealistic without clear industry standards.

Global Impact?

Australia says it plans to champion this policy globally, using the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York to urge other nations to adopt similar protections.

“This isn’t just about Australia’s kids,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“This is about setting a new global standard for online safety.”

What’s Next?

The law will officially go into effect in December 2025, giving tech platforms 12 months to implement robust age-verification systems.

If they fail to comply, they could face massive financial penalties and even temporary access restrictions in Australia.