Credit: Folco Masi via Unsplash
YouTube will be included in Australia’s under-16 social media laws.
Digital platforms -- including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and now YouTube -- face fines of up to $49.5 million for failing to prevent underage account holders accessing their services.
The laws come into effect December 10.
"Our government is making it clear – we stand on the side of families," said prime minister Anthony Albanese.
"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."
The Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules Act tabled today specifies which types of online services will not be captured by the legislation.
These include online gaming, messaging apps, health and education services. These services have been excluded because they pose fewer social media harms to under 16s or are regulated under different laws.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the government was giving kids a reprieve from the persuasive and pervasive pull of social media while giving parents peace of mind.
"We want kids to know who they are before platforms assume who they are," 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," Wells said.
"There's a place for social media, but there's not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children."
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