Ban on YouTube accounts for children in Australia

Why in news ?

• For the first time in the world, the Australian government has decided that from December 2025, children under the age of 16 will be prohibited from creating YouTube accounts.

Status so far:

• Earlier this ban is already applicable in Australia on social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
• Now YouTube has also been included in this list based on the recommendations of the eSafety Commissioner.

Why was YouTube included?

• Although YouTube is traditionally seen as a video streaming platform, officials have raised concerns over it for the following reasons:
• Children may be exposed to videos containing violence, pornography or misleading information.
• Children may be harassed in comment sections or live chats.
• Unrealistic lifestyles, beauty standards or popularity races shown in the videos can lead to depression, self-doubt and loneliness in children.
• Young children often share their confidential information, making them vulnerable to online dangers.

Efforts for online safety in other countries

China

• China has strict rules on social media and online gaming for children under 18 years of age.
• Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, sets a limit of 45 minutes per day for children.
• Children are not allowed to use the apps between 10 pm and 6 am.
• All users have to undergo real-name verification.

France

• In April 2023, the French government passed a proposed law that requires parental permission for children under the age of 15 to create social media accounts.
• The platform has to ensure that the authenticity of the user's age is confirmed.

United States of America (USA)

• The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) law is in force in the US, under which collecting confidential information from children under the age of 13 is prohibited.
• YouTube created the YouTube Kids app because of COPPA, and has implemented limited features for children under 13.

United Kingdom (UK)

• The Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) is in force in the UK.
• This code obliges digital services to adopt special provisions regarding privacy, security and content for users under the age of 18.
• This includes keeping low-profile settings by default.

Germany

• In Germany, social media platforms are required to adopt age verification mechanisms.
• To protect children, YouTube and other platforms have to block content in many cases.