Australia has introduced a new law banning individuals under the age of 16 from holding personal YouTube accounts, citing concerns over online safety, misinformation, and the influence of big tech platforms.

Under the legislation, which was passed in November, social media companies are required to take “reasonable steps” to prevent access by underage users or risk fines of up to $49.5 million (US$32.2 million). While children will still be able to watch YouTube videos under supervision, only parents and educators will be allowed to access content on their behalf.

“YouTube has key similarities to other platforms we’re regulating, such as algorithm-driven content and user interaction features,” officials stated. The law aims to curb the influence of AI-powered recommendation engines, which critics say contribute to the spread of harmful or misleading content.

Angela Falkenberg, president of the Australian Primary Principals Association, welcomed the move. “Teachers are always curators of any resource for appropriateness and will be judicious,” she said.

Cybersecurity experts have also voiced support. Adam Marre, chief information security officer at Arctic Wolf, noted that “artificial intelligence has supercharged the spread of misinformation on platforms like YouTube,” calling the government’s action “an important step in pushing back against the unchecked power of big tech and protecting kids.”

The ban is likely to reignite tensions between Canberra and YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet. The tech giant has previously threatened legal action, with Australian media reporting a possible court challenge. YouTube has neither confirmed nor denied those reports but has urged the government to “uphold the integrity of the legislative process.”

The government is expected to receive a report this month on the effectiveness of age-verification tools, which will guide enforcement efforts in the coming months.