CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – In one of the world’s most aggressive moves to regulate Big Tech and protect children online, the Australian government today announced it will ban anyone under the age of 16 from holding a YouTube account. The new legislation, set to take effect from January 1, 2026, aims to shield young people from harmful content, online bullying, and pervasive data collection.
The policy will prohibit children under 16 from creating or maintaining a YouTube account, effectively preventing them from uploading videos, posting comments, live-chatting, or creating playlists. While access to the main YouTube platform for viewing content will likely remain, the move is squarely aimed at limiting direct interaction and data profiling of minors.
“We cannot stand by while our children’s mental health and well-being are put at risk by algorithms and online environments designed for adults,” said Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, in a press conference. “This is a decisive step to reclaim the digital space for our kids. The era of self-regulation on this issue is over.”
The enforcement of the ban will fall on YouTube’s parent company, Google. The government will mandate the implementation of “robust age verification systems” that go beyond the current self-declaration of age, which is easily circumvented.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, whose office will oversee compliance, stated that the measures are necessary. “For too long, platforms have treated age limits as a suggestion rather than a requirement. This law will give us the regulatory teeth to ensure platforms are building and maintaining systems that are truly age-appropriate by design.”
The announcement has drawn swift reactions. A spokesperson for YouTube expressed a commitment to child safety but raised concerns about the technical implementation. “We have invested heavily in features like YouTube Kids and parental controls. We will work constructively with the Australian government, but enforcing stringent age verification for a global platform presents significant and complex challenges.”
Meanwhile, child safety advocates have largely praised the government’s bold stance. “This is the leadership parents have been crying out for,” said a representative from the “Digital Childhood Foundation,” a non-profit group. “It sends a clear message that the safety of children is not negotiable.”
The legislation is expected to ignite a fierce debate on privacy, digital rights, and the feasibility of online age-gating, with governments around the world watching Australia’s approach closely.
Source: Local News Agencies
