AUSTRALIA WIDENS TEEN SOCIAL MEDIA BAN – Ban set to take effect in December
Australian PM Anthony Albanese reassured parents on Wednesday (July 30) as he announced the government will add YouTube to sites covered by its world-first ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the Alphabet-owned video-sharing site and potentially setting up a legal challenge.
Albanese said, “We want Australian parents and families to know that we’ve got your back.”
The decision came after the internet regulator urged the government last week to overturn the YouTube carve-out, citing a survey that found 37% of minors reported harmful content on the site.
The ban outlaws YouTube accounts for those younger than 16, allowing parents and teachers to show videos on it to minors.
YouTube says it is used by nearly three-quarters of Australians aged 13 to 15, and should not be classified as social media because its main activity is hosting videos.
The decision broadens the ban set to take effect in December.
The law passed in November only requires “reasonable steps” by social media platforms to keep out Australians younger than 16, or face a fine of up to Australian $49.5 million. The government, which is due to receive a report this month on tests of age-checking products, has said those results will influence enforcement of the ban.
