Australia’s Social Media Ban Pushes Young Creators to Consider Leaving the Country

Australia’s upcoming social media ban for children under 16 is sending shockwaves through the creator economy, prompting major YouTube figures like Jordan Barclay to consider moving their operations overseas. Barclay, known for his popular channels including EYstreem, Chip and Milo, and Firelight, built a $50 million gaming media company by age 23. But with the new law taking effect on December 10, he fears the ban could threaten both viewership and revenue for creators who rely heavily on young audiences.

Under the new rules, platforms must block accounts belonging to more than one million underage users or face penalties of up to A$49.5 million. While teens can still watch videos without logging in, losing access to accounts means algorithms will no longer push tailored content to them—resulting in fewer views, lower engagement, and reduced ad revenue. Social media researchers warn that YouTubers, who earn about 55% of ad revenue and up to 18 cents per 1,000 views in Australia, could experience immediate declines.

Industry insiders report growing concerns from advertisers, many of whom are reconsidering sponsorships aimed at younger demographics. Barclay’s firm, Spawnpoint Media, which partners with brands like Lego and Microsoft, has already seen interest in collaborations decline as companies wait to see the ban’s full impact. This uncertainty is motivating some creators, including family vloggers and child-focused channels, to relocate to countries with more favorable digital policies. The Empire Family, for example, have already announced their move to the UK.

Creators who feature or appeal to younger viewers fear reputational harm as well, noting that government messaging about “harmful content” could lead parents to avoid platforms like YouTube altogether. Meanwhile, smaller domestic influencers may suffer the largest setbacks due to their heavy reliance on Australian audiences.

Despite the challenges, many plan to rebuild when they turn 16 or adapt their content strategies—but for larger creators like Barclay, relocating overseas may feel like the only way to secure long-term stability in an increasingly uncertain digital landscape.