Australia has enacted a new law barring individuals under the age of 16 from holding personal YouTube accounts, in a move aimed at enhancing online safety and curbing the spread of misinformation.
Passed in November, the legislation requires social media companies to take “reasonable steps” to prevent underage access to their platforms.
Failure to comply could result in penalties of up to $49.5 million (US$32.2 million). While children will still be permitted to view YouTube videos under adult supervision, only parents and educators will be authorized to access content on their behalf.
“YouTube has key similarities to other platforms we’re regulating, such as algorithm-driven content and user interaction features,” officials explained. The measure is designed to reduce the influence of AI-driven recommendation engines, which critics argue play a significant role in promoting harmful or misleading material.
Angela Falkenberg, president of the Australian Primary Principals Association, expressed support for the new law. “Teachers are always curators of any resource for appropriateness and will be judicious,” she said.
Cybersecurity specialists have also backed the legislation. Adam Marre, chief information security officer at Arctic Wolf, remarked, “Artificial intelligence has supercharged the spread of misinformation on platforms like YouTube,” calling the policy “an important step in pushing back against the unchecked power of big tech and protecting kids.”
The decision is likely to heighten tensions between the Australian government and YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet. Reports suggest the tech firm is considering legal action in response, though YouTube has not officially confirmed or denied these claims. The company has instead urged the government to “uphold the integrity of the legislative process.”
A government-commissioned report on the effectiveness of age-verification tools is expected later this month. Its findings will help shape the next phase of enforcement under the new law.
