YouTube finally set to comply with Australia’s under-16s ban

Viewers and video creators can regain access when they turn 16.

YouTube is taking steps to comply with Australia’s upcoming under-16s social media ban, even after rejecting its inclusion in the crackdown and speculation that the company was considering a court challenge.

Anyone under the age of 16 in Australia will be automatically signed out of their YouTube accounts on Dec. 10 when the law takes effect, Rachel Lord, public policy senior manager for Google and YouTube Australia, said in a blog post. Viewers and video creators can regain access when they turn 16, Lord wrote.

Lord reiterated YouTube’s opposition to the world-first legislation, which passed through Australia’s parliament in late 2024 and aims to protect children from the harms of social media. Forcing children to watch YouTube without an account — as the law specifies — denies them the controls and safety measures designed to protect them, she said.

“These are the unfortunate consequences of a rushed legislative process that failed to allow for adequate consultation and consideration of the real complexities of online safety regulation,” Lord wrote.

YouTube will continue to work with the government to advocate for “effective, evidence-based regulation that actually protects kids and teens,” she said.