The Albanese Government’s decision to reverse its position and include YouTube in the under-16 social media ban is a loud public recognition of the changing shape of social media and the urgent need for age-appropriate digital environments. For DigiChek, it’s also a moment of clarity: if platforms like YouTube are to comply with this law meaningfully, they must adopt tools that are both rigorous and respectful of user privacy no matter that user’s age.
YouTube Is Social Media. Let’s Stop Pretending Otherwise.
Despite previous ambiguity, YouTube functions in all the ways that define social media: user-generated content, algorithmic feeds, comments, live chats, direct messaging, and influencer culture. It’s also one of the most popular platforms among Australian youth, boasting 20.9 million users nationally and nearly universal reach across all demographics.
Excluding YouTube from the age ban would have created a glaring loophole. Children banned from Instagram or TikTok could simply switch to YouTube’s Shorts, direct messages, and community features, undermining the intent of the legislation. Including YouTube closes that gap. The next step, though? We must ensure enforcement doesn’t lead to mass data collection, discrimination, or digital exclusion.
Creator Responsibility Must Be Part of the Solution
Lobbying efforts (even those involving cherished icons like The Wiggles) should not distract from the core challenge: protecting children online while allowing adults to access services without friction or surveillance. Instead of placing all enforcement responsibility on platforms or governments, DigiChek strongly supports a model of creator-side content flagging.
If creators flag content based on age suitability, like YouTube already does voluntarily for “Made for Kids” content, platforms can gate access accordingly using age verification tools. Expanding this flagging system to cover under-16s, as well as other age ranges, spreads the burden of proof and the liability for mistakes across not just the platform, but those who are contributing the content that makes the platform tick. Combined with an age-assurance system that doesn’t require the uploading of identity documents, this can become a scalable and privacy-conscious approach that reduces the need for content scraping or AI surveillance, while empowering creators and protecting users.
Adults Shouldn’t Be Burdened by the Ban
Critically, the enforcement of the under-16 ban will place new responsibilities on adult users, not just children. Under this legislation, adults will be required by law to prove their age across every platform, including YouTube, with documentation. Done poorly, this could fuel mistrust, surveillance creep, and usability nightmares. Done right, it can build trust and strengthen safety.
That’s why DigiChek’s solution is so crucial. Our one-time, in-person verified, user-controlled DigiChek Key allows individuals to confirm their age, whether exact, under, over, or within a specific range, without handing over documents, biometrics, or personal browsing data to a web server that can be hacked. There’s no tracking, no cookies, no surveillance. Just proof of age, when and where it’s needed.
Privacy Isn’t a Luxury. It’s a Human Right.
As we move towards the December 2025 deadline for this age enforcement, we urge platforms like YouTube (as well as the Australian government) to adopt privacy-first assurance systems that don’t exploit the very users they aim to protect. We also call on regulators and the public to hold companies to account: not just for whether they comply, but how they do so.
Trust and safety should not be at odds. Privacy should not be the price of protection. At DigiChek, we believe Australians deserve both.