National News
Australia’s Upcoming Ban on YouTube for Under-16s Divides Teens
Starting December 10, 2025, the Australian government will ban individuals under the age of 16 from creating YouTube accounts, making it the first country in the world to impose such a strict policy on minors. The measure aims to protect children from internet addiction, inappropriate content, and privacy risks.
Australian teens have expressed mixed reactions. 17-year-old Leo Puglisi, who began running the YouTube channel “6 News Australia” at age 11, argued that YouTube is a vital platform for youth to express creativity and voice, and warned that a blanket ban could limit growth and career development opportunities.
Others supported the restriction, citing the algorithm’s potential to expose minors to harmful or extreme content, negatively affecting their mental health. However, experts criticized the policy as an overly harsh “blanket ban” that fails to consider individual maturity levels or parental supervision, potentially infringing on the rights of young people to use social media responsibly.