Google turning up the heat in fight to keep kids on Youtube

Hal Crawford

July 28, 2025 11:03

Google has shifted gears with only four months until all children under 16 may be blocked from their Youtube accounts, threatening the government with legal action, launching an ad campaign and preparing to host an event in Canberra’s Parliament House.

At issue is whether Youtube will be exempt from the amendments to the Online Safety Act that ban children under 16 from having social media accounts. That is due to come into effect in December, and will catch up Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat, Reddit and every other digital platform that meets the criteria and does not have an exemption.

(Midjourney)

Given the structure of the legislation and following advice from the eSafety Commissioner it is now widely expected that Youtube will not be exempted.

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Hal Crawford

Crawford has worked across news media over a 30-year career, including running Ninemsn editorial in Sydney (editor-in-chief and publisher) and the TV3 newsroom in Auckland (chief news officer).

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