SYDNEY — Australia is set to implement a world-first social media ban for children under 16, requiring major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to remove underage accounts or face fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million). The law takes effect on December 10.
The Australian government has defended the move as a necessary measure to protect young users from “predatory algorithms,” despite criticism from platforms like YouTube. Previously, YouTube had been slated to remain accessible to children for educational content, but the government reversed course in July.
“YouTube’s rushed regulation misunderstands our platform and the way young Australians use it,” said Rachel Lord, YouTube’s public policy manager. She added that the law “will, in fact, make Australian kids less safe on YouTube.” Under the new rules, under-16 users will be automatically signed out of their accounts but can still browse without logging in, though they will lose access to safety features like wellbeing settings and filters.
Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells dismissed YouTube’s concerns as “outright weird,” insisting that the law protects children from harmful content and manipulative algorithms. While authorities acknowledge the ban may not be perfect initially, platforms are expected to take “reasonable steps” to comply.
The restrictions will affect hundreds of thousands of adolescents, with Instagram reporting around 350,000 Australian users aged 13 to 15. Certain apps, such as Roblox, Pinterest, and WhatsApp, are currently exempt. YouTube has stated that archived accounts can be reactivated once users turn 16.
The move has already sparked legal challenges, with the Digital Freedom Project arguing in Australia’s High Court that the ban is an “unfair” restriction on freedom of speech.
As regulators worldwide watch closely, Australia’s sweeping measures mark a significant experiment in balancing child protection with digital access.
