YouTube agrees to adhere to Australia's ban on teens using social media.

Sydney, Dec 3 (Reuters) YouTube, owned by Google, confirmed it will adhere to Australias groundbreaking law prohibiting children under 16 from holding social media accounts. This decision marks the compliance of all major platforms popular among young users after initial resistance to the legislation.

Initially, Google was exempted because YouTubes primary function was considered video consumption and education rather than social networking. However, following complaints from other companies, the Australian government expanded the ban to encompass YouTube.

In a blog post on Wednesday, YouTube stated, We will comply with the law and implement age restrictions as required, just a week ahead of the law taking effect on December 10. The platform emphasized that it still disagrees with being labeled a social media service, arguing it is fundamentally different.

The Australian legislation is attracting international attention, potentially setting a global benchmark for how major tech companies balance child protection with digital access. Authorities in Australia cite growing evidence that platforms are failing to adequately shield children from harmful online content.

From December 10, users under 16 will be automatically signed out of YouTube accounts, preventing them from subscribing, liking, or commenting on content. They will still be able to watch videos without signing in. This restriction also applies to underage content creators, who will no longer be able to post.

YouTube has not disclosed how it will verify user ages. The platform also informed caregivers that parental controls only work when your pre-teen or teen is signed in, so the settings you've chosen will no longer apply.

Violations of the law carry fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32.5 million). Other major platforms such as Metas Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and Snaps Snapchat have announced compliance. Only Elon Musks X and Reddit have yet to confirm adherence.

According to Australias eSafety Commissioner, YouTube hosts 325,000 accounts for Australians aged 13 to 15, ranking behind Snapchat (440,000) and Instagram (350,000) in this age group. eSafety data indicates that over one-third of Australians aged 10 to 15 have encountered harmful content on YouTube, more than any other platform.

Since being added to the age-restricted list, YouTube has sought legal guidance, sparking media speculation about a potential legal challenge. The company has not provided immediate confirmation regarding such action.

Author: Sophia Brooks