Australia Bans Kids Under 16 From Joining YouTube, Joins TikTok and Instagram in Age Restrictions

The Australian government has officially banned children under 16 from signing up for YouTube, reversing its earlier decision to exclude it from the restricted list.

Starting December, YouTube will join TikTok and Instagram as platforms required to verify users are at least 16 years old.

Last year, Parliament passed laws aimed at keeping underage users off social media, but YouTube was initially exempt.

Communications Minister Anika Wells announced new rules this Wednesday, making YouTube an “age-restricted platform.” Australia becomes the first country to enforce such a blanket age ban on major social media platforms, with enforcement beginning soon.