Australia’s bold move to ban children under 16 from social media has sparked intense debate, with YouTube cautioning that the policy—though well-meaning—might do more harm than good.
Last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced landmark legislation aimed at protecting minors by restricting their access to social platforms. Under the proposed law, popular apps like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram could face hefty fines for allowing underage users. YouTube, which also falls under the scope of the ban, argues that it shouldn’t be classified as a social media platform.
Rachel Lord, YouTube’s local spokeswoman, told a Senate committee that while the initiative was “well intentioned,” it risks “unintended consequences.” She emphasized that the law is difficult to enforce and unlikely to deliver on its promise of keeping kids safe online.
“Well-crafted legislation can help build on industry efforts to keep children and teens safer online,” Lord said. “But the solution to keeping kids safer is not to stop them from being online.”
YouTube maintains that its core purpose—content creation and education—sets it apart from traditional social media networks. Lord stressed that the platform should be “out of scope” for such legislation.
Australia has long been a global leader in digital safety, but experts worry this new law could be more symbolic than practical. Critics have described the legislation as “vague,” “problematic,” and “rushed.” The eSafety Commissioner will have the power to fine companies up to AUD $49.5 million (USD $32 million) for non-compliance.
While the government clarified that social media companies won’t need to verify every user’s age, they must take “reasonable steps” to detect and deactivate underage accounts.
In the end, the debate highlights a larger issue: the balance between protection and participation. Keeping kids entirely offline may not be the ultimate solution—it’s about empowering them, educating them, and ensuring the digital world grows safer with them, not without them.
