Social Media
YouTube Hit By Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban Despite New Teen Safety Move
Updated on Wed, Jul 30, 2025
Share
In November 2024, the Australian government introduced a bill that aimed to ban access to various social media platforms for teens, specifically those under the age of 16.
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 requires social media platforms to take extra measures to ensure that users under the required age limit aren’t allowed to possess accounts on their platforms, instead of shifting that burden upon parents and young people.
Of course, the move raised several concerns questioning its effectiveness.
Worries aside, the Bill would affect platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, X, and others, while important messaging, health, educational, and gaming platforms such as Headspace, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom, and more, would remain unaffected.
The unaffected platforms lot also included YouTube, which was cited as a crucial source for learning, knowledge, and educational activities.
However, the Australian government has decided to scrap this plan and has now said YouTube will also be dumped into the ban bin.
According to a media release published on July 30 by Hon. Anthony Albanese through the Prime Minister of Australia website, the delay of access to such platforms will “protect young Australians at a critical stage of their development, giving them three more years to build real world connections and online resilience.”
“Our Government is making it clear–we stand on the side of families,” said Prime Minister Albanese. “Social media has a social responsibility and there is no doubt that Australian kids are being negatively impacted by online platforms so I'm calling time on it. Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.”
The decision was taken after extensive consultation, expert advice, and due consideration.
The new rules will be effective from December 10, 2025, meaning that all platforms and services that fall under the ‘age-restricted social media platform’ category under the Act, will be subject to the social media minimum age law.
Platforms that fail to take the required steps will face fines of up to AUD $49.5 million ($32.1 million).
Yet, the government maintains its plans to exclude some platforms—including online gaming, messaging apps, health and education services—from the social media legislation. These services are specified in the Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025 made under the Online Safety Act 2021, which was informed by advice from the eSafety Commissioner.
“The Albanese Government is giving kids a reprieve from the persuasive and pervasive pull of social media while giving parents peace of mind. We want kids to know who they are before platforms assume who they are,” said Anika Wells (MP), the Australian government’s Minister for Communications. “There's a place for social media, but there's not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”
“The Government is proud to be on the side of families,” concludes the release.
Australia’s announcement banning YouTube for teens comes as the social media giant and world’s most popular video streaming service extends its own built-in protections for teens.
Through a news release published on its website, YouTube said it was extending its existing built-in protections to more teens on its platform. The new capabilities will be powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) age estimation technology.
However, this move is currently applicable only to teens in the United States.
The move builds on several plans YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan had outlined in February, which included the introduction of technology that would distinguish between younger viewers and adults to provide age-appropriate content. It also follows the launch of YouTube Kids, which came 10 years ago, as well as implementing supervised accounts for pre-teens and teens four years ago.
As such, the platform will roll out the new feature to a few users in the U.S. to estimate their age, while closely monitoring its success before a wider rollout. The idea is to infer the age of a user, avoiding their birthdate on the account.
YouTube’s AI technology will use AI to interpret a wide range of signals—including the types of videos searched, the categories of viewed videos, and the longevity of the account—to determine if a user is under 18.
If a user is identified as a teen user, YouTube will automatically apply its age-appropriate experiences and protections, which span disabling personalized advertising, turning on digital wellbeing tools, and adding safeguards to recommendations, including limiting repetitive views of some kinds of content.
In case a user is incorrectly estimated to be under 18, they’ll have the option to verify their age and restore their account, using a credit card or a government ID.
“People come to YouTube to learn and be entertained. This is true even for the youngest audiences, and it's why we remain laser focused on making sure they have a safe and age appropriate experience,” said James Beser, Director of Product Management, YouTube Youth.
Keeping to the use of AI technology, YouTube also recently introduced a set of new capabilities, primarily for YouTube Shorts. This includes a new photo-to-video feature, along with new effects—such as swimming underwater, twinning with a lookalike sibling, and more—as well as creation tools in AI playground.
While YouTube hasn’t specified if these moves are being made to counter the Australian government’s ban, it could play a part. However, there’s no certainty that the government will reconsider its decision.
Do you think YouTube’s moves could influence the Australian government’s decision to ban the platform and spark a reconsideration?
Let us know in the comments below!
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 requires social media platforms to take extra measures to ensure that users under the required age limit aren’t allowed to possess accounts on their platforms, instead of shifting that burden upon parents and young people.
Of course, the move raised several concerns questioning its effectiveness.
Worries aside, the Bill would affect platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, X, and others, while important messaging, health, educational, and gaming platforms such as Headspace, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom, and more, would remain unaffected.
The unaffected platforms lot also included YouTube, which was cited as a crucial source for learning, knowledge, and educational activities.
However, the Australian government has decided to scrap this plan and has now said YouTube will also be dumped into the ban bin.
According to a media release published on July 30 by Hon. Anthony Albanese through the Prime Minister of Australia website, the delay of access to such platforms will “protect young Australians at a critical stage of their development, giving them three more years to build real world connections and online resilience.”
“Our Government is making it clear–we stand on the side of families,” said Prime Minister Albanese. “Social media has a social responsibility and there is no doubt that Australian kids are being negatively impacted by online platforms so I'm calling time on it. Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.”
The decision was taken after extensive consultation, expert advice, and due consideration.
The new rules will be effective from December 10, 2025, meaning that all platforms and services that fall under the ‘age-restricted social media platform’ category under the Act, will be subject to the social media minimum age law.
Platforms that fail to take the required steps will face fines of up to AUD $49.5 million ($32.1 million).
Yet, the government maintains its plans to exclude some platforms—including online gaming, messaging apps, health and education services—from the social media legislation. These services are specified in the Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025 made under the Online Safety Act 2021, which was informed by advice from the eSafety Commissioner.
“The Albanese Government is giving kids a reprieve from the persuasive and pervasive pull of social media while giving parents peace of mind. We want kids to know who they are before platforms assume who they are,” said Anika Wells (MP), the Australian government’s Minister for Communications. “There's a place for social media, but there's not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”
“The Government is proud to be on the side of families,” concludes the release.
Australia’s announcement banning YouTube for teens comes as the social media giant and world’s most popular video streaming service extends its own built-in protections for teens.
Through a news release published on its website, YouTube said it was extending its existing built-in protections to more teens on its platform. The new capabilities will be powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) age estimation technology.
However, this move is currently applicable only to teens in the United States.
The move builds on several plans YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan had outlined in February, which included the introduction of technology that would distinguish between younger viewers and adults to provide age-appropriate content. It also follows the launch of YouTube Kids, which came 10 years ago, as well as implementing supervised accounts for pre-teens and teens four years ago.
As such, the platform will roll out the new feature to a few users in the U.S. to estimate their age, while closely monitoring its success before a wider rollout. The idea is to infer the age of a user, avoiding their birthdate on the account.
YouTube’s AI technology will use AI to interpret a wide range of signals—including the types of videos searched, the categories of viewed videos, and the longevity of the account—to determine if a user is under 18.
If a user is identified as a teen user, YouTube will automatically apply its age-appropriate experiences and protections, which span disabling personalized advertising, turning on digital wellbeing tools, and adding safeguards to recommendations, including limiting repetitive views of some kinds of content.
In case a user is incorrectly estimated to be under 18, they’ll have the option to verify their age and restore their account, using a credit card or a government ID.
“People come to YouTube to learn and be entertained. This is true even for the youngest audiences, and it's why we remain laser focused on making sure they have a safe and age appropriate experience,” said James Beser, Director of Product Management, YouTube Youth.
Keeping to the use of AI technology, YouTube also recently introduced a set of new capabilities, primarily for YouTube Shorts. This includes a new photo-to-video feature, along with new effects—such as swimming underwater, twinning with a lookalike sibling, and more—as well as creation tools in AI playground.
While YouTube hasn’t specified if these moves are being made to counter the Australian government’s ban, it could play a part. However, there’s no certainty that the government will reconsider its decision.
Do you think YouTube’s moves could influence the Australian government’s decision to ban the platform and spark a reconsideration?
Let us know in the comments below!
First published on Wed, Jul 30, 2025
Enjoyed what you've read so far? Great news - there's more to explore!
Stay up to date with the latest news, a vast collection of tech articles including introductory guides, product reviews, trends and more, thought-provoking interviews, hottest AI blogs and entertaining tech memes.
Plus, get access to branded insights such as informative white papers, intriguing case studies, in-depth reports, enlightening videos and exciting events and webinars from industry-leading global brands.
Dive into TechDogs' treasure trove today and Know Your World of technology!
Disclaimer - Reference to any specific product, software or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by TechDogs nor should any data or content published be relied upon. The views expressed by TechDogs' members and guests are their own and their appearance on our site does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by TechDogs' Authors are those of the Authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of TechDogs or any of its officials. While we aim to provide valuable and helpful information, some content on TechDogs' site may not have been thoroughly reviewed for every detail or aspect. We encourage users to verify any information independently where necessary.
Loading comments...