Australia Expands Teen Social Media Ban to Include YouTube

Australia has expanded its trailblazing social media ban for kids under 16 to now include YouTube, overturning an earlier decision to spare the video platform.

The update, announced on July 30, 2025, follows a report from eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, which found that 37% of minors encountered harmful content on YouTube—more than on any other social media site.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood firm on the decision, saying, “Social media has a social responsibility. Australian kids are being negatively impacted by online platforms, and I’m calling time on it.” Starting in December 2025, teens under 16 won’t be able to have active YouTube accounts or subscribe to channels, though they can still watch videos without logging in.

YouTube was initially excluded from the November 2024 law because of its educational value and widespread use—nearly three-quarters of Australian 13- to 15-year-olds are on the platform. But other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok called the exemption unfair.

• Australia Bans YouTube for Teens Under 16, Citing Harmful Content Risks
• YouTube Added to Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Starting December 2025
• Australia Expands Teen Social Media Crackdown: YouTube No Longer Exempt

The eSafety Commissioner’s findings, pointing to YouTube’s algorithm-driven suggestions and interactive features, convinced the government to include it.

Google, which owns YouTube, argues the platform isn’t social media but a video-sharing service. A spokesperson said, “YouTube is a video-sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens.” The company is even considering a legal challenge. On the other hand, the Australian Primary Principals Association supports the move, saying teachers can pick safe videos for classroom use.

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The decision has stirred debate. Some fear the ban might isolate vulnerable teens, like those in the LGBTQIA+ or migrant communities, from online support groups. Others worry about privacy risks from age verification systems. As Australia leads the way with this bold policy, countries like Norway and the UK are watching closely, thinking about similar steps.