Sydney: YouTube has said that Australia’s new social media restrictions for under-16s will make younger users less safe, as the removal of accounts will eliminate parental supervision tools that families have relied on.
The platform has argued that account-based protections developed over more than a decade will no longer function once the ban comes into force on December 10.
Under Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age Act, all users under 16 will be automatically signed out of their YouTube accounts, meaning access to settings such as content filters, blocked channels and wellbeing reminders will no longer be possible. YouTube has confirmed it will comply with the law but said the move undermines measures that parents and educators consider central to safer digital use.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has challenged the concerns raised by the platform, saying it is ‘outright weird’ for the company to highlight risks associated with its own services. Wells has said that if a platform claims it is unsafe for minors, the platform should address those issues directly.
The eSafety Commissioner has identified YouTube as the most commonly cited platform where Australian children aged 10 to 15 have encountered harmful material. As part of the broader regulatory shift, the Commissioner has also requested newer apps such as Lemon8 and Yope to assess whether they fall under the age ban, following noticeable increases in downloads from younger users.
From next week, minors will be unable to upload videos, post comments or use personalized features on YouTube, although they will still be able to view public content without an account. YouTube Kids remains unaffected by the restrictions. However, default wellbeing prompts such as bedtime reminders or break notifications will no longer appear, as they require a signed-in account to operate.
Google, YouTube’s parent company, has considered possible legal options in response to the inclusion of the platform in the ban, according to local reports. The company has not commented on whether further action will be taken.
Wells has said that some issues are expected during the initial enforcement period but added that cultural change requires time and consistent regulation. The minister has described younger generations as being exposed constantly to content and notifications that demand attention, contributing to ongoing concerns about behavioural impacts.
Platforms included in the ban must deactivate existing under-16 accounts, prevent new sign-ups and block workarounds. Companies may face penalties of up to A$49.5 million if they fail to comply. The restrictions apply to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Twitch, Threads, Reddit, Kick and other services, in addition to YouTube.
The debate over the ban has intensified as YouTube and government officials present opposing views on how best to protect young users online. The coming months are expected to test how effectively the new rules balance safety, access and accountability across Australia’s digital platforms.
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