YouTube will be included in a national social media ban for kids aged under 16, the federal government has confirmed.
The Google-owned platform lobbied for the government to make it exempt from the ban, claiming it is a “video streaming platform” and not a social media platform.
However Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced YouTube will be captured in the landmark legislation alongside other age-restricted platforms Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X.
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Other online services which don’t fall under the ban will include online gaming, messaging apps, health and education services.
These services are excluded in the ban because the government said they pose fewer harms to children under 16 or are subject to different laws.
Social media platforms listed in the legislation will be subject to the ban from December 10 this year.
The social media giants face fines of up to $49.5 million if they “fail to take responsible steps to prevent underage account holders onto their services”.
“Our government is making it clear – we stand on the side of families,” Albanese said.
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“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.”
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant recommended to Communications Minister Anika Wells that YouTube be included in the ban after the draft rules were released in June.
Wells said there is “no one perfect solution” for ensuring kids are safe online but said today’s announcement would make a positive difference.
“The rules are not a set and forget, they are a set and support,” she said.
“There are heavy penalties for companies who fail to take reasonable steps to prevent underage account holders onto their services of up to $49.5 million.
“There’s a place for social media, but there’s not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”
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YouTube has argued it should be exempt from the ban as it would restrict political freedom and prevent people under 16 from contributing to political discourse by posting videos and making comments.
It has also argued that by allowing children to log in to the platform, it enables safety guardrails specifically designed for younger people.
Google has also threatened to sue the Australian government if YouTube is roped into the ban after writing to Wells announcing it would consider its legal position.
“The government was firm in its decision that YouTube would be excluded because it is different and because of its value to younger Australians. This intention was repeatedly made clear in its public statements, including to the Australian Parliament,” a spokesperson for YouTube told 9news.com.au earlier today.
“However, signals that the government is contemplating an abrupt policy reversal have prompted us to seek further clarity on this matter.
“Our position has always been clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform, not a social media service, that offers benefit and value to younger Australians.
“We have written directly to the government, urging them to uphold the integrity of the legislative process and protect the age-appropriate experiences and safeguards we provide for young Australians.”
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