YouTube warns that children will be less protected under Australia's social media ban.

YouTube has raised concerns over Australia's newly passed legislation that will block children under 16 from using its platform, claiming the changes will actually reduce online safety. The company said that its existing parental controls, which help families manage content and restrict channels, will be removed from 10 December when the law takes effect.

Under the new rules, children will still be able to watch videos without an account, but parents will no longer be able to monitor their teen's or tween's activity directly. Rachel Lord, YouTube Australia's senior manager for public policy, stated that the law undermines years of work developing "robust protections and parental controls" and could leave young users more exposed.

Communications Minister Anika Wells called YouTube's warnings "outright weird," noting that if the platform recognizes risks for children, it is the company's responsibility to address them. She highlighted that regulatory measures are meant to protect kids and that technological solutions alone cannot guarantee safety.

The concern over youth access to social media comes as Australia's internet regulator focuses on apps gaining popularity among teens, such as Lemon8, from the creators of TikTok, and Yope, both of which feature video and photo sharing. The eSafety Commissioner has requested these platforms to self-assess whether they fall under the under-16 ban.

The government had initially exempted YouTube from the social media age restrictions, but that decision was reversed in July following reports that children aged 10 to 15 frequently encountered harmful content on the platform. The new legislation, called the Social Media Minimum Age Act, will automatically log out users under 16, preventing them from posting or commenting, although YouTube Kids remains unaffected. Default wellbeing reminders, such as bedtime alerts, will also be unavailable to underage users.

Lord criticized the law for being rushed and not taking into account the way young Australians interact with digital platforms. Google, YouTubes parent company, is reportedly considering a legal challenge to the inclusion of YouTube in the ban.

Minister Wells acknowledged that the first weeks after the ban may face implementation issues, emphasizing that cultural change and regulation require patience. She warned that children today, referred to as Generation Alpha, are continuously exposed to social media notifications and algorithm-driven content, creating a "dopamine drip" from their devices.

Under the legislation, tech companies will need to provide six-monthly reports on under-16 accounts and may face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$33 million) for noncompliance. The ban affects major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Twitch, Threads, Reddit, and Kick.

Author: Sophia Brooks