is YouTube banned for under-16s in Australia?
YouTube is age-restricted — under 16 cannot hold an account. category: video sharing.
why is YouTube banned?
YouTube is classified as an age-restricted social media platform. Initial drafts of the law had considered exempting YouTube; that exemption was removed before enforcement, and YouTube is now one of the five platforms under active eSafety investigation. Viewing YouTube without an account is still allowed — the restriction is on holding an account, not on watching.
what changes for YouTube
Australians under 16 cannot create or keep a YouTube account. Under-16s can still watch YouTube without signing in — but without the personalised feed, saved history, subscriptions or comment ability that an account enables. YouTube Kids is exempt and remains available to under-13s.
what happens to existing under-16 accounts
Existing under-16 Google accounts that include YouTube access are being adjusted — the YouTube portion is restricted even if the Google account remains active for other purposes (Gmail, Google Classroom).
what parents should do
- •explain the difference: watching YouTube = still fine, having a YouTube account = not for under-16s
- •for under-13s, YouTube Kids is exempt and is a better-moderated alternative anyway
- •if your child subscribes to creators, help them note down the channels so they can re-find them without a subscription feed
- •Google Classroom (for school) is exempt and unaffected
alternatives for under-16s
- •YouTube Kids (under 13 — exempt)
- •watch YouTube without signing in
- •Google Classroom (exempt)
law: Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024
started: 10 December 2025
regulator: eSafety Commissioner
platform penalty: up to $49.5 million
sources
view the full social media ban guide
all banned and exempt platforms, parent guidance, enforcement status
this guide summarises the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 as it applied on 23 april 2026. eSafety may reclassify services; check eSafety Commissioner for the current platform list. mini mode is not affiliated with any government agency or platform.