Confirmed: YouTube included in Australia's social media ban despite legal threats
But under-16s will not be allowed to have active YouTube accounts or subscribe to YouTube channels.
"There's a place for social media, but there's not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children," Communications Minister Annika 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." The decision to add YouTube to the list of impacted services follows advice from eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. Online gaming platforms, messaging services like WhatsApp, health and education services will be spared. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the decision was a signal "we stand on the side of families."
"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," he said.
In the hours before the decision was made public Google (YouTube's parent company) ramped up its lobbying efforts, with an elaborate event staged in Parliament House on Wednesday afternoon. This week Google wrote to the Communications Minister, asking her "to uphold the integrity of the legislative process and protect the age-appropriate experiences and safeguards we provide for young Australians." "YouTube is a video sharing platform, not a social media service, that offers benefit and value to younger Australians," a YouTube spokesperson said on Sunday. Inman Grant in June rejected claims the decision would impact educators and schools. "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.
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