Australia to ban children under 16 from creating YouTube accounts

Australia will ban children under 16 from creating YouTube accounts starting this December, as part of its world-first social media restrictions. The ban already applies to TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), and now YouTube is included following recommendations from the eSafety Commissioner. Although YouTube is mainly seen as a video platform, authorities say it exposes kids to the same risks as other social media apps, such as harmful content, cyberbullying, and mental health issues. Under the new rule, children under 16 will still be able to watch YouTube videos without an account, but they won’t be able to post content, comment, or receive personalised video recommendations.