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Creators embrace AI music on YouTube

Increasingly, YouTube creators are utilising AI-generated music to enhance video quality, saving time and costs. Selecting tracks that align with the content tone and audience expectations is crucial for engagement.

Subtle, balanced music supports narration without distraction and guides viewers through sections. Thoughtful use of intros, transitions and outros builds channel identity and reinforces branding.

Customisation tools allow creators to adjust tempo, mood and intensity for better pacing and cohesion with visuals. Testing multiple versions ensures the music feels natural and aligns with storytelling.

Understanding licensing terms protects monetisation and avoids copyright issues. Combining AI music with creative judgement keeps content authentic and original while maximising production impact.

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AI tools enable large-scale monetisation of political misinformation in the UK

YouTube channels spreading fake and inflammatory anti-Labour videos have attracted more than a billion views this year, as opportunistic creators use AI-generated content to monetise political division in the UK.

Research by non-profit group Reset Tech identified more than 150 channels promoting hostile narratives about the Labour Party and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The study found the channels published over 56,000 videos, gaining 5.3 million subscribers and nearly 1.2 billion views in 2025.

Many videos used alarmist language, AI-generated scripts and British-accented narration to boost engagement. Starmer was referenced more than 15,000 times in titles or descriptions, often alongside fabricated claims of arrests, political collapse or public humiliation.

Reset Tech said the activity reflects a wider global trend driven by cheap AI tools and engagement-based incentives. Similar networks were found across Europe, although UK-focused channels were mostly linked to creators seeking advertising revenue rather than foreign actors.

YouTube removed all identified channels after being contacted, citing spam and deceptive practices as violations of its policies. Labour officials warned that synthetic misinformation poses a serious threat to democratic trust, urging platforms to act more quickly and strengthen their moderation systems.

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YouTube offers creators payments in PayPal stablecoin

YouTube has introduced a new payment option for US-based creators, allowing them to receive earnings in PayPal’s stablecoin, PYUSD. The move adds another major tech company experimenting with crypto-linked payments, while simplifying the process for content creators.

PayPal manages the conversion and custody of the stablecoin, meaning YouTube does not directly handle any crypto. The feature uses YouTube’s existing payout system and follows PayPal’s broader PYUSD rollout earlier this year.

Stablecoins have gained attention among tech firms following the signing of the GENIUS Act in July 2025, which provides a federal framework for these assets. Stripe and Google are exploring stablecoins for faster settlements, reflecting rising interest in regulated digital payments.

PYUSD, which reached a market capitalisation of nearly $4 billion, is already integrated into several PayPal products, including Venmo and merchant tools. For now, the payout option is limited to US creators, with no timeline announced for expansion to other regions.

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Meta begins removing underage users in Australia

Meta has begun removing Australian users under 16 from Facebook, Instagram and Threads ahead of a national ban taking effect on 10 December. Canberra requires major platforms to block younger users or face substantial financial penalties.

Meta says it is deleting accounts it reasonably believes belong to underage teenagers while allowing them to download their data. Authorities expect hundreds of thousands of adolescents to be affected, given Instagram’s large cohort of 13 to 15 year olds.

Regulators argue the law addresses harmful recommendation systems and exploitative content, though YouTube has warned that safety filters will weaken for unregistered viewers. The Australian communications minister has insisted platforms must strengthen their own protections.

Rights groups have challenged the law in court, claiming unjust limits on expression. Officials concede teenagers may try using fake identification or AI-altered images, yet still expect platforms to deploy strong countermeasures.

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YouTube criticises Australia’s new youth social-media restrictions

Australia’s forthcoming ban on social media accounts for users under 16 has prompted intense criticism from YouTube, which argues that the new law will undermine existing child safety measures.

The report notes that from 10 December, young users will be logged out of their accounts and barred from posting or uploading content, though they will still be able to watch videos without signing in.

YouTube said the policy will remove key parental-control tools, such as content filters, channel blocking and well-being reminders, which only function for logged-in accounts.

Rachel Lord, Google and YouTube public-policy lead for Australia, described the measure as ‘rushed regulation’ and warned the changes could make children ‘less safe’ by stripping away long-established protections.

Communications Minister Anika Wells rejected this criticism as ‘outright weird’, arguing that if YouTube believes its own platform is unsafe for young users, it must address that problem itself.

The debate comes as Australia’s eSafety Commissioner investigates other youth-focused apps such as Lemon8 and Yope, which have seen a surge in downloads ahead of the ban.

Regulators reversed YouTube’s earlier exemption in July after identifying it as the platform where 10- to 15-year-olds most frequently encountered harmful content.

Under the new Social Media Minimum Age Act, companies must deactivate underage accounts, prevent new sign-ups and halt any technical workarounds or face penalties of up to A$49.5m.

Officials say the measure responds to concerns about the impact of algorithms, notifications and constant connectivity on Gen Alpha. Wells said the law aims to reduce the ‘dopamine drip’ that keeps young users hooked to their feeds, calling it a necessary step to shield children from relentless online pressures.

YouTube has reportedly considered challenging its inclusion in the ban, but has not confirmed whether it will take legal action.

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Teens launch High Court bid to stop Australia’s under-16 social media ban

Two teenagers in Australia have taken the federal government to the High Court in an effort to stop the country’s under-16 social media ban, which is due to begin on 10 December. The case was filed by the Digital Freedom Project with two 15-year-olds, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, listed as plaintiffs. The group says the law strips young people of their implied constitutional right to political communication.

The ban will lead to the deactivation of more than one million accounts held by users under 16 across platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitch, Facebook and Instagram. The Digital Freedom Project argues that removing young people from these platforms blocks them from engaging in public debate. Neyland said the rules silence teens who want to share their views on issues that affect them.

The Digital Freedom Project’s president, John Ruddick, is a Libertarian Party politician in New South Wales. After the lawsuit became public, Communications Minister Anika Wells told Parliament the government would not shift its position in the face of legal threats. She said the government’s priority is supporting parents rather than platform operators.

The law, passed in November 2024, is supported by most Australians according to polling. The government says research links heavy social media use among young teens to bullying, misinformation and harmful body-image content.

Companies that fail to comply with the ban risk penalties of up to A$49.5 million. Lawmakers and tech firms abroad are watching how the rollout unfolds, as Australia’s approach is among the toughest efforts globally to restrict minors’ access to social platforms.

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Teenagers still face harmful content despite new protections

In the UK and other countries, teenagers continue to encounter harmful social media content, including posts about bullying, suicide and weapons, despite the Online Safety Act coming into effect in July.

A BBC investigation using test profiles revealed that some platforms continue to expose young users to concerning material, particularly on TikTok and YouTube.

The experiment, conducted with six fictional accounts aged 13 to 15, revealed differences in exposure between boys and girls.

While Instagram showed marked improvement, with no harmful content displayed during the latest test, TikTok users were repeatedly served posts about self-harm and abuse, and one YouTube profile encountered videos featuring weapons and animal harm.

Experts warned that changes will take time and urged parents to monitor their children’s online activity actively. They also recommended open conversations about content, the use of parental controls, and vigilance rather than relying solely on the new regulatory codes.

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YouTube launches likeness detection to protect creators from AI misuse

YouTube has expanded its AI safeguards with a new likeness detection system that identifies AI-generated videos imitating creators’ faces or voices. The tool is now available to eligible members of the YouTube Partner Program after a limited pilot phase.

Creators can review detected videos and request their removal under YouTube’s privacy rules or submit copyright claims.

YouTube said the feature aims to protect users from having their image used to promote products or spread misinformation without consent.

The onboarding process requires identity verification through a short selfie video and photo ID. Creators can opt out at any time, with scanning ending within a day of deactivation.

YouTube has backed recent legislative efforts, such as the NO FAKES Act in the US, which targets deceptive AI replicas. The move highlights growing industry concern over deepfake misuse and the protection of digital identity.

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New YouTube tools provide trusted health advice for teens

YouTube is introducing a new shelf of mental health and wellbeing content designed specifically for teenagers. The feature will provide age-appropriate, evidence-based videos covering topics such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and eating disorders.

Content is created in collaboration with trusted organisations and creators, including Black Dog Institute, ReachOut Australia, and Dr Syl, to ensure it is both reliable and engaging.

The initiative will initially launch in Australia, with plans to expand to the US, the UK, and Canada. Videos are tailored to teens’ developmental stage, offering practical advice, coping strategies, and medically-informed guidance.

By providing credible information on a familiar platform, YouTube hopes to improve mental health literacy and reduce stigma among young users.

YouTube has implemented teen-specific safeguards for recommendations, content visibility, and advertising eligibility, making it easier for adolescents to explore their interests safely.

The company emphasises that the platform is committed to helping teens access trustworthy resources, while supporting their wellbeing in a digital environment increasingly filled with misinformation.

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Google cautions Australia on youth social media ban proposal

The US tech giant, Google (also owner of YouTube), has reiterated its commitment to children’s online safety while cautioning against Australia’s proposed ban on social media use for those under 16.

Speaking before the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee, Google’s Public Policy Senior Manager Rachel Lord said the legislation, though well-intentioned, may be difficult to enforce and could have unintended effects.

Lord highlighted the 23-year presence of Google in Australia, contributing over $53 billion to the economy in 2024, while YouTube’s creative ecosystem added $970 million to GDP and supported more than 16,000 jobs.

She said the company’s investments, including the $1 billion Digital Future Initiative, reflect its long-term commitment to Australia’s digital development and infrastructure.

According to Lord, YouTube already provides age-appropriate products and parental controls designed to help families manage their children’s experiences online.

Requiring children to access YouTube without accounts, she argued, would remove these protections and risk undermining safe access to educational and creative content used widely in classrooms, music, and sport.

She emphasised that YouTube functions primarily as a video streaming platform rather than a social media network, serving as a learning resource for millions of Australian children.

Lord called for legislation that strengthens safety mechanisms instead of restricting access, saying the focus should be on effective safeguards and parental empowerment rather than outright bans.

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