YouTube gave this autistic teen a voice. The government is about to mute it

"He had been diagnosed as being severely impaired socially... but online he came alive.”

Lauren Robinson

@L_Robinson96

2 min read

July 31, 2025 - 2:22PM

Parenting

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Bec Ridley’s son spent years searching for where he fit in. He finally found it online.

But for kids like him, that digital world is about to be unplugged for good.

Under sweeping new laws coming into effect this December, YouTube will be added to the Australian government’s ban on social media platforms for under-16s.

But for Hudson, 15, it doesn’t take into account his reality.

“On a piece of paper from a psychiatrist, he had been diagnosed as being severely impaired socially,” Bec told Kidspot

“But online he came alive.”

Hudson with his mum and siblings. Image: Supplied

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"He’s almost at 100,000 subscribers"

Hudson has been diagnosed with autism.

For much of his early life, socialising in person felt impossible. The world moved too slowly for his brain, too confusingly for his heart.

But behind a screen he found something that had always eluded him: connection.

“You’ve got a child who, in a room, doesn’t want to be seen and online, he wants all the attention,” the mum of six said.

At just 14 years old, Hudson logged on for the first time.

What began as a quiet creative outlet quickly turned into something bigger.

He shared gaming content, built a community, and connected in a powerful way.

Within two years, he was climbing global rankings, earning income, and even helping other kids learn to play.

“He’s almost at 100,000 subscribers,” Bec said.

“He’s earning money, he’s strategic about how he grows the channel, and he even did a school presentation about his analytics. He’s thriving.”

"Critical for different learning styles"

It’s a far cry from the parent Bec once imagined she’d be.

“I didn’t even have a telly for 10 years,” she joked.

“I was a hippie-dippy homeschooling mum.”

Screens weren’t part of the plan. But when Hudson expressed his desire to be on YouTube, Bec made the decision to let him try.

The skills he’s gained from YouTube are now showing up in the real world, too.

“It’s built his confidence. It’s grown him as an individual,” she said.

But as the government moves to tighten control over young people’s access to social media, Bec worries kids like Hudson will be left behind.

“It would be really critical for different learning styles,” she said.

“I do believe everyone’s brains are built so differently.”

For Hudson, YouTube has been a tool for expression, education, and connection.

While many kids might use the platform to pass time, for neurodivergent children it can offer something far more profound: belonging.

And cutting the cord, Bec warns, could come at a cost. Especially to the next generation of content creators, critical thinkers, and kids still trying to find where they fit.

“I think it would be very detrimental for my son to lose this tool. And though he would still be great, YouTube helps him excel to this next version of himself,” she explained.

Hudson, who once struggled to speak up in real-life settings, is now mentoring others, tracking data, and exploring future job opportunities, all through a platform that may soon be off-limits to kids like him, and the kids who come after.

“Not everyone fits the same cookie cutter at all,” Bec pointed out.