YouTube says Australia’s under 16 social media ban will not keep children safe online

Video platform YouTube has provided users with an update about how it will comply with Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age Act but has warned that the regulation will “not make children safe online.”

As a result of the new law, which restricts the usage of social media platforms to those 16 and over, those that don’t meet the age requirements will automatically be signed out of their accounts.

The new law requires tech giants including YouTube Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and X to restrict underage access or face penalties up to $50 million (AUD).

Google, the parent company of YouTube, said that viewers can continue to watch YouTube while signed out and it will determine a user’s age based on the age associated with their Google account.

Users under the age of 16 will lose access to features such as subscriptions, playlists and default wellbeing settings like “Take a Break” and Bedtime Reminders.

The company added that parents will lose the ability to supervise their teen or tween’s account on YouTube, as these accounts only work when they are signed in.

YouTube explained that parents will no longer be able to use any controls they have set up, such as choosing an appropriate content setting or blocking specific channels.

Rachel Lord, public policy senior manager at Google and YouTube Australia, said that the “rushed regulation” does not understand the YouTube platform or how young Australians use it, adding that it has “failed to consider the full complexities of online safety.”

She pointed out that that the platform is used as a learning tool, with children watching YouTube on television screens with their families.

“We believe a more effective approach is one that empowers parents, rather than stripping away their choices, and allows kids to continue to derive the immense benefits of digital environments while protecting them from harm,” Lord added. “Even as the ban comes into effect next week, we will continue to work with the Australian Government to advocate for effective, evidence-based regulation that actually protects kids and teens, respects parental choice, and avoids unintended consequences.”

Last month, Snap announced that users in Australia will be able to verify their ages though ConnectID, a service offered by banks in the country.

ConnectID is a joint project between major Australian banks Commonwealth Bank (CBA), National Australia Bank (NAB), ANZ and Westpac.

The banks have around 10 million combined customers who will be able to verify themselves and securely share their data through ConnectID.

Snap added that it will also allow users to submit government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s licence or passport, to verify their age.

In November, it was announced that streaming and gaming platform Twitch would be included in the Australian federal government’s social media ban for under 16s.

Julie Inman Grant, commissioner at eSafety, an independent government agency responsible for regulating online safety in Australia, said the platform will join Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and others on the list of social media sites with age restrictions.

Although the ban does not provide an exemption for platforms whose “sole or primary” purpose is gaming, eSafety said it found that Twitch’s streaming features are primarily designed to encourage user interaction.