Australia Bans YouTube, Major Social Media for Under-16s

Australia has expanded its social media ban for users under 16 to include YouTube, reversing an earlier exemption and making the country a global leader in digital child protection. The decision follows advice from the eSafety Commissioner and a national survey revealing that nearly 40% of minors reported exposure to harmful content on YouTube, surpassing other platforms. The ban will prevent users under 16 from creating accounts, commenting, uploading videos, or accessing age-restricted content on YouTube, though viewing videos without an account remains allowed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government's commitment to protecting children from addictive algorithms, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content, stating that Australian parents have the government's support. While YouTube argues it is primarily a video-sharing platform with educational value, critics and other social media companies contend it functions similarly to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, justifying its inclusion in the ban. Platforms failing to comply with the new age verification rules may face significant fines, and the government is exploring AI-driven age estimation tools to enforce the regulations effectively.