Video streaming giant YouTube on Wednesday attacked Australia's looming social media ban for under-16s, denouncing the world-first laws as "rushed" and unrealistic.

Australia will from December 10 ban users under the age of 16 from a raft of the world's most popular social media platforms and websites, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

"Most importantly, this law will not fulfil its promise to make kids safer online, and will, in fact, make Australian kids less safe on YouTube," YouTube public policy manager Rachel Lord said in a statement.

"We've heard from parents and educators who share these concerns."

YouTube, one of the most-visited websites in the world, was originally slated to escape the ban so children could watch educational videos.

But the Australian gover

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