Australia to ban YouTube accounts for under-16s from December

The Australian government has announced new regulations requiring that users under 16 years old will be barred from creating accounts on YouTube, effective December 10. This significant policy shift includes the popular video-sharing platform in age-restricted social media laws that previously exempted it. Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized that this decision is rooted in alarming statistics: 40 percent of Australian children who reported experiencing online harm identified YouTube as the source. "We will not back down in our commitment to protect the wellbeing of Australian kids," she asserted. Under the new guidelines, companies that fail to implement adequate measures to prevent underage account creation could face fines up to A$50 million (around £26 million). However, the government has not yet detailed what these necessary measures will entail. While children will still be free to access YouTube videos without an account, they will not be permitted to create personal profiles. YouTube has voiced its disagreement with the ruling, arguing that it contradicts earlier government assurances that the platform would not be included in such restrictions. In a statement, the company stressed that it operates as a video-sharing service rather than a social media platform and expressed its intention to continue discussions with the government regarding this decision. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated that Australia plans to address this issue on a global scale by bringing it to a United Nations forum in New York this September, highlighting that concerns about social media’s impact on children resonate worldwide. Additionally, the government is reviewing age-verification technologies to help prevent minors from accessing these platforms. Minister Wells mentioned that age verification would not necessitate the submission of personal documents like passports, as platforms already hold extensive user data that could assist in determining age. Notably, applications related to gaming, education, health, and direct messaging have been exempted from these new regulations, suggesting they are considered less harmful than mainstream social media.