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Australia to Ban YouTube for Teens: The Impact of a Complete Ban on Social Media for Those Under 16

Australia to Ban YouTube for Teens: The Impact of a Complete Ban on Social Media for Those Under 16

2025年07月31日 01:00

1. The Day the "Last Bastion" Fell

"I declare time's up." With these words from Prime Minister Albanese, YouTube was swept into a global debate originating from Australia. The government, through the "Social Media Minimum Age Bill" enacted in November 2024, had completely banned social media accounts for those under 16, initially exempting YouTube due to its educational use. However, a policy reversal was decided in less than a year.


2. The Shocking 37%

The background to the exemption withdrawal is a survey by the eSafety Commissioner showing that "37% of 10-15-year-olds experienced harmful content on YouTube." This figure surpassed TikTok and Instagram, leading the government to label it as "the most dangerous platform." Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized in parliament, "We won't be intimidated by Big Tech."ABC


3. Google's "Definition Battle"

Google immediately countered, reiterating its long-standing claim that "YouTube is a video library, not a social media platform," and hinted at a lawsuit citing procedural flaws. However, other social media companies criticized, saying, "Interactive features and algorithm recommendations are the same as ours," indicating no unified stance in the U.S. IT industry.The Guardian


4. A Fine of 49.5 Million AUD and Age Verification Tech

The law imposes a maximum fine of 49.5 million AUD (approximately 5 billion yen) if "reasonable measures" fail to prevent use by those under 16. Although ID submission cannot be mandated, alternative technologies like facial recognition and biometric estimation are rapidly being tested, with government trials reporting cases of "misjudging a 15-year-old as 37." Practitioners express concerns about whether operational guidelines can be finalized by the deadline.ABC


5. Mixed Reactions on Social Media

Immediately after the announcement, on X (formerly Twitter)

  • #YouTubeBan: Parents posted "It's late but welcome" and "Protect the children."

  • #LetKidsCreate: Teens and creators opposed, saying "Don't take away a platform for expression" and "Politicians don't understand the internet." On Reddit's /r/Australia, some expect "regulation of kid influencers," while others cynically comment, "There are plenty of workarounds with VPNs."
    RedditReddit
    Hindustan Times summarized the online reaction as "half praise, half anger," with the debate spreading across borders.Hindustan Times


6. Support and Concerns from the Field

The Australian Primary Principals Association states, "If curated by educators, viewing for lessons is not an issue," while expressing concern over a lack of video materials. Meanwhile, cybersecurity company Arctic Wolf welcomes it as "a step to curb misinformation risks amplified by AI."


7. Comparison: Movements in the West and Asia

In the U.S., COPPA for those under 13 and the DSA in the EU already exist, but examples of national-level age restrictions on accounts are rare. As momentum for revising Japan's "Act on Development of an Environment that Provides Safe and Secure Internet Use for Young People" grows, the Australian model could become a touchstone.


8. Will the "Digital License" Become a Reality?

As a solution to reduce identification burdens, proposals such as encrypted age tokens via blockchain and carrier SIM integration have emerged. However, issues of privacy invasion and technical bias remain. The world is watching to see how concrete these can become by December.


9. Conclusion: A Shield to Protect Children or Chains to Restrict Freedom?

Caught between the values of "online safety" and "digital citizenship," Australia has made a bold gamble. Adding YouTube is merely a symbolic move; the real challenge lies in implementing and ensuring the effectiveness of age verification. If this decision succeeds, it will accelerate regulatory strengthening in various countries. Conversely, if it fails, young people may go underground, deepening the divide. On December 10, 2025, the "answer" Australia presents will serve as a global compass.


Reference Articles

Australia Expands Teen Social Media Ban to YouTube, Revokes Exemption
Source: https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/australia-adds-youtube-to-social-media-ban-for-children-4158734

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