British News Agency

The decision, to be confirmed on Wednesday by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells, could provoke a strong reaction from YouTube, owned by Google, which is set to host a major event for politicians at Parliament House that same night.

YouTube claimed it operates differently from other platforms and was previously exempted from the under-16 social media ban by former Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. However, the newly appointed minister, Wells, received a recommendation from the eSafety Commissioner to include the platform in the regulations due to its threat to young people.

The more tightly regulated YouTube Kids app will be exempt from the ban, which is expected to take effect on December 10.

YouTube will be included among social media platforms with age restrictions alongside Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and others.

Last month, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant cited a survey of 2,600 children, stating that about four out of ten had been exposed to harmful content on YouTube, calling it “the most frequently mentioned platform” in their research.