YouTube Warns Against Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban

YouTube has warned that Australia’s proposal to ban children under 16 from using social media may backfire despite its good intentions, potentially failing to make the online space safer for young users.

The legislation, pushed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government, is expected to take effect by the end of 2025. It would bar minors from platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Companies that violate the law could face fines of up to AUS$49.5 million (US$32 million).

Speaking at a Senate committee hearing on Monday, YouTube spokeswoman Rachel Lord said the ban would be “extremely difficult to enforce” and would not necessarily deliver on its promise of protecting children online.

She described the bill as “well intentioned” but argued that completely removing children from digital spaces could cause greater harm. “Well-crafted legislation can be an effective tool to build on industry efforts to keep children and teens safer online,” she said. “But the solution to keeping kids safer online is not stopping them from being online.”

YouTube also claimed it should not be covered by the proposed rules. “We are not a social media service and should be out of scope of this legislation,” Lord said.

While Australia is at the forefront of global efforts to address online harm, critics say the law is unclear and may ultimately prove symbolic. Major platforms have called the proposal “vague,” “problematic,” and “rushed.”

Under the current plan, companies will not need to verify every user’s age but must take “reasonable steps” to identify and deactivate underage accounts.

The legislation is still under review as the government works to find a balance between child safety, enforcement, and digital access.