YouTube is joining a list of banned social media platforms in Australia following legislation from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese which was passed through parliament in November, 2024.
Despite initial exemptions YouTube will now be included from the impending social media ban for children and teens under 16 years of age. Here’s what you need to know…
Is Youtube Getting Banned In Australia?
Yes, video-sharing platform YouTube will now be included in Australia’s social media ban for adolescents, despite initially being omitted from the list. The announcement came on Wednesday July 30 from Prime Minister Albanese.
At the time, the P.M. revealed the decision to add YouTube to banned platforms came following the advice of the internet regulator.
“Following the advice from the eSafety Commissioner, young people under the age of 16 will not be able to have accounts on YouTube,” he said in a public statement.
Why Is YouTube Getting Banned?
The Youtube ban in Australia came at the recommendation of eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant to Communications Minister Anika Wells.
According to the ABC, Grant cited a survey of 2,600 children, which found nearly four in 10 had been exposed to harmful content on YouTube.
It’s worth noting, YouTube’s inclusion in Australia’s social media ban legislation isn’t the same as other platforms.
Because, as Google (which owns the platform) argued, the video-sharing site isn’t a social media app in the same sense as Facebook or Instagram, it will still be accessible to children under 16.
However, anyone under the age of 16 will no longer be able to make an account on YouTube. This means while they can view videos already on the platform publicly, any algorithmic learnings based on viewing habits can’t be made, and an ability to upload content or comment on content isn’t possible.
When Does The Social Media Ban Start?
Australia’s new social media ban, which now includes YouTube, is slated to come into effect on December 10, 2025.
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