YouTube’s exemption from the under-16s social media ban in Australia has been overturned.
The video sharing platform will be classified as an age-restricted social media platform under the legislation alongside Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and X.
Any of these sites failing to block sign-ups and active accounts belonging to under-16s from 10 December will incur a penalty of up to A$49.5 million.
"There's a place for social media, but there's not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children,” Communications Minister Anika Wells said.
"There is no one perfect solution when it comes to keeping young Australians safer online — but the social media minimum age will make a significantly positive difference to their wellbeing."
YouTube Kids is still expected to be exempt from the ban, as there is no ability to communicate with others through the platform.
However, YouTube differs from other social media sites as users can access content without an account, meaning under-16s can use the platform in a logged-out state that doesn’t allow them to comment on videos or subscribe to channels.
Google has said it will consider its next steps in engaging with the government.
“We share the Government's goal of addressing and reducing online harms. Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It’s not social media,” A google spokesperson said.
This comes after Google said it would consider legal action if included in the ban.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant made a formal recommendation that YouTube be included in the ban and said the ban wouldn’t be likely to impact educators.
"There is nothing in the legislation that prevents educators with their own accounts from continuing to incorporate school-approved educational content on YouTube or any other service just as they do now," she told the National Press Club.
