Australia Expands Teen Social Media Ban to Include YouTube

Australia has added YouTube to its teenage social media ban. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the decision to protect minors from harmful content. YouTube, aligning itself as a video-sharing platform, contends the classification. A potential legal dispute with Alphabet looms as the government reinforces digital regulations.

Australia has announced a landmark decision to include YouTube in its world-first ban on social media platforms for teenagers. The move reverses a prior exemption for the Alphabet-owned site, amid concerns over harmful content affecting minors, as reported by a survey showing 37% of underage users faced distressing experiences on YouTube.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed the government's commitment to safeguarding Australian children from negative online influences, urging social media companies to recognize their societal responsibilities. "I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs," Albanese declared, as the ban is set to take effect in December.

The decision has sparked potential legal challenges from Alphabet, which previously contested Australian digital regulations. As debates continue over the role of social media and video-sharing platforms, the government's hardline stance underscores its focus on digital safety for young Australians. The outcome will likely shape future regulatory efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)