Google is threatening to sue the Australian government if YouTube is included in a social media ban for children under the age of 16.

The tech giant has sent a letter to communications minister Anika Wells, first reported by The Daily Telegraph and confirmed by 9News, which warned Google would consider its legal position if the government decided to include YouTube in the changes.

The ban is due to come into effect in December this year.

The Australian government previously announced YouTube would be exempt from the rules.

Grant acknowledged the website had “many educational and otherwise beneficial uses”.

Wells has not responded to the eSafety Commissioner’s requests.

If YouTube is included in the ban, people under 16 will still be able to access the website but they will not be able to have an account.

Google is arguing banning YouTube would restrict political freedom, claiming the ban would prevent people under 16 from contributing to political discourse by posting videos and making comments.

In Australia, the legal voting age is 18 years old.

The tech giant is also arguing YouTube is a video streaming platform rather than a social media website.

The decision and full list of platforms to be included is set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.